Slat Back Bench
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Benches
Wood
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Benches
Faux Leather, Oak
Antique 18th Century British Neoclassical Benches
Teak
20th Century Adirondack Benches
Wood
Vintage 1970s Indonesian Benches
Teak
Vintage 1960s North American Rustic Benches
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Benches
Fabric, Wood, Birch
Early 20th Century Asian British Colonial Patio and Garden Furniture
Teak
Early 20th Century Asian British Colonial Patio and Garden Furniture
Teak
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Settees
Wood
Vintage 1940s Danish Art Deco Benches
Beech
Early 20th Century Swedish Benches
Vintage 1920s Benches
Wood
Early 20th Century English Country Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century Spanish Benches
Pine
Antique 19th Century Benches
Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Benches
Chestnut
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Benches
Oak
Vintage 1960s American Settees
Iron
Vintage 1910s Belgian Belle Époque Benches
Iron
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Benches
Iron
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Benches
Wood
Early 20th Century Benches
Elm
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Country Benches
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Benches
Paint, Wood
Vintage 1940s American Patio and Garden Furniture
Antique 19th Century Swedish Settees
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Benches
Oak, Faux Leather
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Settees
Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Settees
Maple
Antique Late 19th Century Indian Rustic Benches
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Anglo-Indian Be...
Teak
20th Century Patio and Garden Furniture
Teak
1990s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Elm
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Early 20th Century English Benches
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Benches
Elm
Early 20th Century American Benches
Oak
Early 20th Century American Benches
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Wood, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Swedish Benches
Early 20th Century European Benches
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Benches
Pine
Early 20th Century French Benches
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Antique 19th Century Scandinavian Benches
Early 20th Century American Primitive Settees
Antique 1860s English Benches
Slat Back Bench For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Slat Back Bench?
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023A bench with a back on it is usually just called a bench, while one without a back is a backless bench. Pieces placed in public areas to seat one or two people are park benches. Longer, more decorative ones for home use are garden benches. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of benches.
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