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19th Century Set of Ten Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs
19th Century Set of Ten Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs

19th Century Set of Ten Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs

Located in Round Top, TX

eight side chairs and two arm chairs in the Rococo style. Pierced splat backs, carved and shaped seat

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Rococo Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Linen, Pine, Paint

Oak 19th Century Georgian Style Childs Chair
Oak 19th Century Georgian Style Childs Chair

Oak 19th Century Georgian Style Childs Chair

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

Shaped And Pierced Splat Back, Over Faux Leather Drop In Seat, Raised On Square Legs And Stretchers

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Hepplewhite Children's Furniture

Materials

Oak

Queen Anne Walnut Dining Chairs by Thomasville, Set of Six with Slate Upholstery
Queen Anne Walnut Dining Chairs by Thomasville, Set of Six with Slate Upholstery

Queen Anne Walnut Dining Chairs by Thomasville, Set of Six with Slate Upholstery

By Thomasville

Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

A set of six Queen Anne dining chairs by Thomasville, crafted in solid wood with carved splat backs

Category

Late 20th Century Queen Anne Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

English Oak Arts and Crafts Child's Chair with Decorated Splat
English Oak Arts and Crafts Child's Chair with Decorated Splat

English Oak Arts and Crafts Child's Chair with Decorated Splat

Located in San Francisco, CA

A charming oak English arts and crafts style child's rocking chair, the rectangular back splat

Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Chairs

Materials

Oak

A Fine Walnut and Marquetry Chair Back Settee in the Anglo-Dutch Manner
A Fine Walnut and Marquetry Chair Back Settee in the Anglo-Dutch Manner

A Fine Walnut and Marquetry Chair Back Settee in the Anglo-Dutch Manner

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

the settee are of shepherds’ crook form and the back splats incorporate not only highly delicate and

Category

Antique 1820s British Settees

Materials

Walnut

Georgian 18th Century Elm Armchair
Georgian 18th Century Elm Armchair

Georgian 18th Century Elm Armchair

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

& Patina Throughout, Having Elegant Ribbon Carved Pierced Splat Back And Scrolling Arms, Over Drop In Seat

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Armchairs

Materials

Elm

CHIPPENDALE 1880 American Victorian Carved Mahogany Wood Pedestal
CHIPPENDALE 1880 American Victorian Carved Mahogany Wood Pedestal

CHIPPENDALE 1880 American Victorian Carved Mahogany Wood Pedestal

Located in Miami, FL

Gothic influences, featuring cabriole legs, claw-and-ball feet, and pierced splat-back chairs. Major

Category

Antique 19th Century American Chippendale Pedestals

Materials

Wood

Qing Dynasty Lamp Hanger Chair with Carved Splat and Two Toned Finish
Qing Dynasty Lamp Hanger Chair with Carved Splat and Two Toned Finish

Qing Dynasty Lamp Hanger Chair with Carved Splat and Two Toned Finish

Located in Yonkers, NY

medallion on the back splat, two-toned finish and side stretchers. Created in China during the later part of

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Georgian Hepplewhite Mahogany Side Chairs, Elegant Carved Design, 1820
Georgian Hepplewhite Mahogany Side Chairs, Elegant Carved Design, 1820

Georgian Hepplewhite Mahogany Side Chairs, Elegant Carved Design, 1820

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

Shaped Top Rails And Elegant Pierced Splat Backs With Crisply Carved Decoration, Over Upholstered, Bowed

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Hepplewhite Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Of 19th Century Oak Hall Seats
Pair Of 19th Century Oak Hall Seats

Pair Of 19th Century Oak Hall Seats

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

Stretchers To Top With Carrying Handle And Elegant Shaped Decoration To Splat Backs, Over Solid Seats Flanked

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Chairs

Materials

Oak

Set of 6 Swedish Painted Dining Room Chairs with Carved Splats and Upholstery
Set of 6 Swedish Painted Dining Room Chairs with Carved Splats and Upholstery

Set of 6 Swedish Painted Dining Room Chairs with Carved Splats and Upholstery

Located in Atlanta, GA

of 6 side chairs features a balloon style back with carved splat, connected to a seat newly recovered

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Georgian Style Baker Dining Chairs w/Solid Splat & Turned Front Legs Set of 6
Georgian Style Baker Dining Chairs w/Solid Splat & Turned Front Legs Set of 6

Georgian Style Baker Dining Chairs w/Solid Splat & Turned Front Legs Set of 6

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Topeka, KS

Handsome set of six Baker Furniture dining chairs in a Georgian style with a solid back splat &

Category

Late 20th Century American Georgian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Brass

Set of 6 Chippendale Period Mahogany Dining Chairs
Set of 6 Chippendale Period Mahogany Dining Chairs

Set of 6 Chippendale Period Mahogany Dining Chairs

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

, Having Attractive Splat Backs With Pierced Fan Decoration, Over Upholstered Drop In Seats Raised On

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

English Ribbon Back Settee
English Ribbon Back Settee

English Ribbon Back Settee

Located in New York, NY

Rare English mahogany settee, delicately carved with a tied ribbon back splat, on scrolled cabriole

Category

Antique 19th Century English Settees

Materials

Mahogany

Chinese Horseshoe-Back Armchair (Quanyi)
Chinese Horseshoe-Back Armchair (Quanyi)

Chinese Horseshoe-Back Armchair (Quanyi)

Located in North Palm Beach, FL

and gently curved vertical back splat provide refined simplicity, while the surface retains an aged

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Ladder Back Chairs Set of 6
Ladder Back Chairs Set of 6

Ladder Back Chairs Set of 6

Located in Pomona, CA

A top-quality Set of 6 Ladderback Chairs in Elmwood. Made in the 18th-century style. Six splat

Category

Vintage 1950s English Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Elm

Glastonbury Chair 1830 Throne Hall Statement Chair Bridgens Oak Gothic Revival
Glastonbury Chair 1830 Throne Hall Statement Chair Bridgens Oak Gothic Revival

Glastonbury Chair 1830 Throne Hall Statement Chair Bridgens Oak Gothic Revival

By Richard Bridgens

Located in London, GB

attention and please the eye. It features a gorgeous and very rare, pierced lattice-splat back with

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier British Gothic Revival Armchairs

Materials

Oak

Jacobean Cane Back Armchairs, a Pair
Jacobean Cane Back Armchairs, a Pair

Jacobean Cane Back Armchairs, a Pair

Located in Bradenton, FL

A pair of ornately carved Jacobean style armchairs. Back splats are double caned and topped with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Jacobean Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

Shield Back Chairs, Set of 10
Shield Back Chairs, Set of 10

Shield Back Chairs, Set of 10

Located in Annville, PA

chair features a serpentine crest rail which connects to the five section back splat and terminates in a

Category

2010s Chippendale Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Suite of 8 Theodore Alexander "Rococo" Dining Chairs
Suite of 8 Theodore Alexander "Rococo" Dining Chairs

Suite of 8 Theodore Alexander "Rococo" Dining Chairs

Located in Barrowford, GB

dining seating, consisting of 8 hand-carved Rococo chairs (with pierced vase-splat back above an

Category

2010s Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

George II Walnut Double Chair Back Corner Chair
George II Walnut Double Chair Back Corner Chair

George II Walnut Double Chair Back Corner Chair

Located in Essex, MA

With an arched back with vasiform splat over arms and double splat. Shaped drop in seat with

Category

Antique 1740s English George II Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Set of 10 Inlaid Shield Back Chairs
Set of 10 Inlaid Shield Back Chairs

Set of 10 Inlaid Shield Back Chairs

Located in Annville, PA

sweeping crest rail, carving at the top of the back splat, and handmade inlaid oval motifs midway down the

Category

2010s Renaissance Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Side Chairs with Lyre Back
Pair Side Chairs with Lyre Back

Pair Side Chairs with Lyre Back

Located in New York, NY

frequently encountered as the back splat of klismos chairs, in no example more familiar than in a group of

Category

Antique 1820s American Neoclassical Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

High-Back Oak Chair with Wavy Shaped Arms
High-Back Oak Chair with Wavy Shaped Arms

High-Back Oak Chair with Wavy Shaped Arms

Located in Harrodsburg, KY

A "Country Chippendale" oak armchair with wooden seat and Gothic influenced back-splat. The arms

Category

Antique 18th Century English Country Armchairs

Materials

Oak

Inlaid Shield Back Chairs, Set of 10
Inlaid Shield Back Chairs, Set of 10

Inlaid Shield Back Chairs, Set of 10

Located in Annville, PA

, wheat sheaf carving at the top of the back splat, hand inlaid oval motif midway down the back splat as

Category

2010s Chippendale Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Clover Back Dining Chairs, Set of 10
Clover Back Dining Chairs, Set of 10

Clover Back Dining Chairs, Set of 10

Located in Annville, PA

loops crested by a pierced back splat. Tapered reeded legs on the front of the Clover Back Dining Chairs

Category

2010s Chippendale Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Oval Back Inlaid Chairs, Set of 10
Oval Back Inlaid Chairs, Set of 10

Oval Back Inlaid Chairs, Set of 10

Located in Annville, PA

inlaid design in the center of the back splat, cross stretchers supporting the chair legs as well as a

Category

2010s Adirondack Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

English Yew Wood Hoop Back Windsor Armchair
English Yew Wood Hoop Back Windsor Armchair

English Yew Wood Hoop Back Windsor Armchair

Located in Greenwich, CT

Fine English yew wood and elm windsor hoop back or double bow armchair, the shaped back splat with

Category

Antique 1830s English Country Windsor Chairs

Materials

Elm, Yew

Flame Back Chippendale Chairs, Set of 10
Flame Back Chippendale Chairs, Set of 10

Flame Back Chippendale Chairs, Set of 10

Located in Annville, PA

set features wonderful hand carved details which include a “flame” in the center of the back splat. No

Category

2010s Chippendale Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Fine Set Of Eight Mahogany Shield Back Dining Chairs
Fine Set Of Eight Mahogany Shield Back Dining Chairs

Fine Set Of Eight Mahogany Shield Back Dining Chairs

Located in Bridgeport, CT

upholstery. The frames have a graceful back splat with a feather crest and side tassels and swags, tapering

Category

20th Century American Hepplewhite Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

19th Century New England Rush Seat Ladder Back Chair.
19th Century New England Rush Seat Ladder Back Chair.

19th Century New England Rush Seat Ladder Back Chair.

Located in Vero Beach, FL

chair features beautifully woven rush seat. Dates to the 19th century. Classic ladder back splats

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Colonial Chairs

Materials

Rush, Hardwood

Pair of Dessin Fournir Ribbon-Back Oak Dining Armchairs
Pair of Dessin Fournir Ribbon-Back Oak Dining Armchairs

Pair of Dessin Fournir Ribbon-Back Oak Dining Armchairs

By Dessin Fournir

Located in Rio Vista, CA

"Ribbon Back Armchairs" (model #1002A) feature dramatic looped ribbon-back splats with crisp squares

Category

Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Textile, Oak

Pair of Chinese Dragon Scroll-Back Armchairs, c. 1850
Pair of Chinese Dragon Scroll-Back Armchairs, c. 1850

Pair of Chinese Dragon Scroll-Back Armchairs, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

surround a central back splat decorated with inset panels, each gilded and carved in low relief with

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Elm

20th Century Austrian Bentwood Armchair With Lyre Back Detail
20th Century Austrian Bentwood Armchair With Lyre Back Detail

20th Century Austrian Bentwood Armchair With Lyre Back Detail

Located in High Point, NC

, lightweight silhouette. The lyre-shaped back splat introduces an elegant decorative element, adding refinement

Category

20th Century Austrian Armchairs

Materials

Bentwood

19th Century Chinese Yoke Back Ming Chairs, a Pair
19th Century Chinese Yoke Back Ming Chairs, a Pair

19th Century Chinese Yoke Back Ming Chairs, a Pair

Located in Sarasota, FL

throughout. An arched crest rail surmounts a pierced back splat, carved with the traditional Chinese

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Chinese Elm Yoke Back Officials Hat Chairs
Pair of Chinese Elm Yoke Back Officials Hat Chairs

Pair of Chinese Elm Yoke Back Officials Hat Chairs

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Highly carved pair of Chinese elm yoke back officials hat chairs. Featuring a decorative back splat

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Drape Carved Shield Back Chairs, Set of 10
Drape Carved Shield Back Chairs, Set of 10

Drape Carved Shield Back Chairs, Set of 10

Located in Annville, PA

which itself rests over top a drape carved back splat and sharply curved side rails to form the classic

Category

2010s Chippendale Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Fine Set Of Eight Hepplewhite Style Shield Back Dining Chairs
Fine Set Of Eight Hepplewhite Style Shield Back Dining Chairs

Fine Set Of Eight Hepplewhite Style Shield Back Dining Chairs

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A set of eight beautifully made Hepplewhite Dining Chairs with many fine details. The pierced back

Category

Mid-20th Century American Hepplewhite Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Pair of McGuire Rattan Leona Loop Back Dining Armchairs
Pair of McGuire Rattan Leona Loop Back Dining Armchairs

Pair of McGuire Rattan Leona Loop Back Dining Armchairs

By McGuire

Located in Rio Vista, CA

1970s. The chairs feature a sinuous loop back splat inside a square frame. The arms gracefully curve

Category

20th Century American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Rattan

Pair of McGuire Rattan Leona Loop Back Dining Armchairs
Pair of McGuire Rattan Leona Loop Back Dining Armchairs

Pair of McGuire Rattan Leona Loop Back Dining Armchairs

By McGuire

Located in Rio Vista, CA

in the 1970s. The chairs feature a sinuous loop back splat inside a square frame. The arms gracefully

Category

20th Century American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Rattan

Pair Of Antique Chippendale Style Ribbon Back Side Chairs
Pair Of Antique Chippendale Style Ribbon Back Side Chairs

Pair Of Antique Chippendale Style Ribbon Back Side Chairs

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A fine Pair of Mahogany frame chairs with finely carved frames having sinuous and twining back

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chippendale Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of Eight Tommi Parzinger X-Back Mahogany Dining Chairs
Set of Eight Tommi Parzinger X-Back Mahogany Dining Chairs

Set of Eight Tommi Parzinger X-Back Mahogany Dining Chairs

By Tommi Parzinger

Located in Rio Vista, CA

features a refined, gently curved and tapering square back with an "X" form back splat having intricate

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Fine Set Of Eight Mahogany Shield Back Dining Chairs
Fine Set Of Eight Mahogany Shield Back Dining Chairs

Fine Set Of Eight Mahogany Shield Back Dining Chairs

Located in Bridgeport, CT

carved back-splat, tapered leg with Peg foot and bottom stretchers. The single piece seats are

Category

20th Century Sheraton Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

1937 Macys Shield Back Dining Chairs - Set of 6
1937 Macys Shield Back Dining Chairs - Set of 6

1937 Macys Shield Back Dining Chairs - Set of 6

By Macy's

Located in Bradenton, FL

Macy’s of New York. Shield shaped seat backs are beveled, with a pierced back splat simply carved with

Category

Vintage 1930s American Georgian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

American Hitchcock turtle back rush seat side chair, 1830
American Hitchcock turtle back rush seat side chair, 1830

American Hitchcock turtle back rush seat side chair, 1830

Located in Kenilworth, IL

American turtle back, Hitchcock type, rush seat side chair. The back splat features the original

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Side Chairs

Materials

Rush, Wood

Chippendale Style Ladder Ribbon Back Embroidered Seat Side Chair
Chippendale Style Ladder Ribbon Back Embroidered Seat Side Chair

Chippendale Style Ladder Ribbon Back Embroidered Seat Side Chair

Located in Vero Beach, FL

horizontal pierced ribbon splats comprise the ladder back and finish in well-formed carved ears. The pegged

Category

Antique 19th Century English Chippendale Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Chinese Low Back Official's Chairs, C. 1850
Pair of Chinese Low Back Official's Chairs, C. 1850

Pair of Chinese Low Back Official's Chairs, C. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

back armchairs, and each bears a ruyi symbol carved into the back splat, symbolizing knowledge. The

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Qing Dynasty Yoke Back Armchair with Carved Medallions
19th Century Qing Dynasty Yoke Back Armchair with Carved Medallions

19th Century Qing Dynasty Yoke Back Armchair with Carved Medallions

Located in Yonkers, NY

Official’s Hat chairs. Adorned with carved medallions on the back splat, the chair is raised on straight legs

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

A Harlequin Set of 4 Beech & Elm Fiddle Back Chairs
A Harlequin Set of 4 Beech & Elm Fiddle Back Chairs

A Harlequin Set of 4 Beech & Elm Fiddle Back Chairs

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

kitchen chairs, the chairs are a classic design called “fiddle back” which describes the back splat, there

Category

Antique 19th Century Arts and Crafts Windsor Chairs

Materials

Beech

Pair of High Back Carved Walnut Gothic Style Armchairs
Pair of High Back Carved Walnut Gothic Style Armchairs

Pair of High Back Carved Walnut Gothic Style Armchairs

By Thomasville

Located in Chicago, IL

Dark walnut wood chairs with carved back splats in a unique design, as well as unusual arms

Category

Vintage 1970s American Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

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Splat Back For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic splat back available at 1stDibs. A splat back — often made from wood, fabric and upholstery — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without a splat back — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Each splat back bearing Art Deco, Arts and Crafts or Baroque hallmarks is very popular. Thonet each produced at least one beautiful splat back that is worth considering.

How Much is a Splat Back?

A splat back can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,700, while the lowest priced sells for $403 and the highest can go for as much as $25,000.

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.

Questions About Splat Back
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    A splat back chair is a chair with a vertical central element on its back. Splat back chairs have more of a formal feel to them compared to other types of chairs and seating. Splat back Windsor chairs are popular on 1stDibs.