Skip to main content

Splat Back

to
205
1,975
887
2,889
34
30
269
132
129
83
69
64
37
26
24
21
19
18
17
16
13
12
8
3
590
1,241
1,052
64
385
280
124
66
28
40
37
49
48
48
18
20
6
2,429
747
652
425
310
1,873
1,113
818
353
340
2,944
2,922
2,923
26
11
11
7
7
Sort By
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

Set of 19 Beech Wheel Back Windsor Kitchen Dining Chairs
Set of 19 Beech Wheel Back Windsor Kitchen Dining Chairs

Set of 19 Beech Wheel Back Windsor Kitchen Dining Chairs

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Set of 19 Beech Wheel Back Windsor Kitchen Dining Chairs The chairs are a classic design and

Category

Vintage 1980s Country Windsor Chairs

Materials

Beech

Pair of Gothic Windsor Armchairs Steeple Back Strawberry Hill Gothic Revival
Pair of Gothic Windsor Armchairs Steeple Back Strawberry Hill Gothic Revival

Pair of Gothic Windsor Armchairs Steeple Back Strawberry Hill Gothic Revival

By Theodore Alexander

Located in London, GB

, arch-shaped back and the breathtaking Gothic fretwork detailing to the back splats, which cast

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Vietnamese Gothic Revival Windsor Chairs

Materials

Cherry

Harlequin Set Of Eight Broad Arm High Back Windsor Chairs
Harlequin Set Of Eight Broad Arm High Back Windsor Chairs

Harlequin Set Of Eight Broad Arm High Back Windsor Chairs

Located in Bridgeport, CT

featuring double "H" stretchers on all, slightly different pierced back splats, different complimentary

Category

Antique 19th Century Country Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of English Sheraton mahogany shield back armchairs, c. 1790
Pair of English Sheraton mahogany shield back armchairs, c. 1790

Pair of English Sheraton mahogany shield back armchairs, c. 1790

Located in Kenilworth, IL

center of the vertical back splat. The elbow supports are carved with laurel leaves and the legs are

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Sheraton Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Regency Armchairs in Velvet by Thomas Hope, Burl Wood, X-Back Design
Regency Armchairs in Velvet by Thomas Hope, Burl Wood, X-Back Design

Regency Armchairs in Velvet by Thomas Hope, Burl Wood, X-Back Design

By Thomas Hope

Located in Southampton, NJ

A pair of English Regency-style armchairs with x-shaped backs, burl splats, multiple reeded

Category

Early 20th Century American Regency Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Faux Bamboo, Wood

18th Century American Curved Ladder Back Oak Chair with Rush Seat
18th Century American Curved Ladder Back Oak Chair with Rush Seat

18th Century American Curved Ladder Back Oak Chair with Rush Seat

Located in Savannah, GA

This early American Colonial chair features curved splats in back and turned front legs and double

Category

Antique 1740s American American Colonial Chairs

Materials

Rush, Oak

Italian Neoclassic Shield Back Dining/Side Chair W/ Floral Beige Upholstery
Italian Neoclassic Shield Back Dining/Side Chair W/ Floral Beige Upholstery

Italian Neoclassic Shield Back Dining/Side Chair W/ Floral Beige Upholstery

Located in Queens, NY

Italian Neo-Classic side chair with an openwork shield form back, carved decorative splat, padded

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Upholstery

19th Century Chinese Horseshoe Round Back Chairs All Original a Pair
19th Century Chinese Horseshoe Round Back Chairs All Original a Pair

19th Century Chinese Horseshoe Round Back Chairs All Original a Pair

Located in Somis, CA

protrude over the front posts with graceful outward curve. Gently curved back splat with carved deer and

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

American Bookends in the Form of a Chippendale Chair Back, Bradley & Hubbard
American Bookends in the Form of a Chippendale Chair Back, Bradley & Hubbard

American Bookends in the Form of a Chippendale Chair Back, Bradley & Hubbard

By Bradley & Hubbard

Located in Downingtown, PA

as the open-work back splat of a classic 18th-century Chippendale side chair. The design features a

Category

Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Bookends

Materials

Metal

19th Century Black Lacquered Elm Chinese Officials Hat Yoke Back chair
19th Century Black Lacquered Elm Chinese Officials Hat Yoke Back chair

19th Century Black Lacquered Elm Chinese Officials Hat Yoke Back chair

Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire

traditional Chinese motif decorate the back splat of the chair, with graceful serpentine-like curves adorning

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Chairs

Materials

Elm

Antique Pair Dutch Marquetry Walnut High Back Armchairs Late 18th Century
Antique Pair Dutch Marquetry Walnut High Back Armchairs Late 18th Century

Antique Pair Dutch Marquetry Walnut High Back Armchairs Late 18th Century

Located in London, GB

central back splats are inlaid with floral marquetry decoration, the craftsmen did everything to make the

Category

Antique 1780s Dutch Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Set of Six C1840 Half Spindle Back Dining Chairs w Original Yellow Paint
Set of Six C1840 Half Spindle Back Dining Chairs w Original Yellow Paint

Set of Six C1840 Half Spindle Back Dining Chairs w Original Yellow Paint

Located in Port Jervis, NY

bright yellow. One chair has more wear on the back splat than the others but all ars very tight. Priced

Category

Antique 1840s American Adam Style Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Pair of Mid-19th Century Cast Iron Lyre-Back Garden Chairs
Pair of Mid-19th Century Cast Iron Lyre-Back Garden Chairs

Pair of Mid-19th Century Cast Iron Lyre-Back Garden Chairs

By A. Belokopytoff

Located in Santa Monica, CA

version Lyre-back splat with cabriole legs and foliate scrolls. Unmarked, but most likely cast by the

Category

Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical Revival Patio and Garden Furn...

Materials

Iron

Dutch Colonial Indonesian Hardwood Four Chair-Back Settee, Late 17th Century

Dutch Colonial Indonesian Hardwood Four Chair-Back Settee, Late 17th Century

Located in Amsterdam, NL

(Batavia), late 17th century The massive bench on ten turned connected legs, with four back-splats with

Category

Antique Early 18th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Furniture

Materials

Cane, Hardwood

Four French Early Modernist Wood Dining Chairs with Inlaid Brass Grid Back
Four French Early Modernist Wood Dining Chairs with Inlaid Brass Grid Back

Four French Early Modernist Wood Dining Chairs with Inlaid Brass Grid Back

Located in New York, NY

with a back splat in the form of perpendicular grid. Brass and mother of pearl are inlaid into the

Category

Early 20th Century French Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Brass

Yew Wood Low-Back Windsor Armchair, North East Yorkshire England Circa 1850
Yew Wood Low-Back Windsor Armchair, North East Yorkshire England Circa 1850

Yew Wood Low-Back Windsor Armchair, North East Yorkshire England Circa 1850

Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire

shaped solid back splat 4) Thick elm seat with no splits 5) Strong stable construction of excellent

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Country Windsor Chairs

Materials

Elm, Fruitwood, Yew

19C Set of 6 Irish Chippendale Style Ribbon Back Dining Chairs
19C Set of 6 Irish Chippendale Style Ribbon Back Dining Chairs

19C Set of 6 Irish Chippendale Style Ribbon Back Dining Chairs

Located in Dallas, TX

, made of mahogany, and have fabulously detailed ‘Ribbon’ backs splats with tassel, acanthus floral and

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Irish Chippendale Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century Rare Ladder Back Chairs with Herringbone Seats Set of 6
Early 19th Century Rare Ladder Back Chairs with Herringbone Seats Set of 6

Early 19th Century Rare Ladder Back Chairs with Herringbone Seats Set of 6

Located in Louisville, KY

These 3-splat ladder-back chairs are a beautiful and mysteriously unique grouping. Made from

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Country Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

Swedish Period Rococo 3-Chair Back Painted Sofa Bench, Early 18th Century
Swedish Period Rococo 3-Chair Back Painted Sofa Bench, Early 18th Century

Swedish Period Rococo 3-Chair Back Painted Sofa Bench, Early 18th Century

Located in Atlanta, GA

antique bench from Sweden features three carved back splats for resting, with sweetly carved flowers

Category

Antique Early 18th Century Swedish Rococo Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

A Pair of Lacquered Chinese Northern Elm Yoke Back ‘Officials Hat’ Chairs
A Pair of Lacquered Chinese Northern Elm Yoke Back ‘Officials Hat’ Chairs

A Pair of Lacquered Chinese Northern Elm Yoke Back ‘Officials Hat’ Chairs

Located in Llanbrynmair, GB

rectangular back splat that provides both structural integrity and visual interest. The hard-mat seat rests

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Chairs

Materials

Elm

Set of Six Early 20th Century Queen Anne Style High Back Dining Chairs
Set of Six Early 20th Century Queen Anne Style High Back Dining Chairs

Set of Six Early 20th Century Queen Anne Style High Back Dining Chairs

Located in Cheshire, GB

Set of six early 20th century Queen Anne style high back dining chairs, having vase shaped back

Category

Early 20th Century British Queen Anne Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Ming Dynasty Style Yoke Back Side Chairs with Woven Rattan Seats
Pair of Ming Dynasty Style Yoke Back Side Chairs with Woven Rattan Seats

Pair of Ming Dynasty Style Yoke Back Side Chairs with Woven Rattan Seats

Located in Yonkers, NY

rattan seats, curving back splats and natural wood patina. Created in China during the early years of the

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Side Chairs

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Ming Treasures Yoke Back Gold/Silver Leaf Dining Chairs by Drexel Heritage Set o
Ming Treasures Yoke Back Gold/Silver Leaf Dining Chairs by Drexel Heritage Set o

Ming Treasures Yoke Back Gold/Silver Leaf Dining Chairs by Drexel Heritage Set o

By Drexel

Located in Topeka, KS

; curved arms & a lovely center back splat. The square foam filled loose seat cushions wear a unique

Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Silk, Cane, Foam, Wood

Stunning Edwardian Bow Back Walnut Chair Arts & Crafts Mother of Pearl Inlay
Stunning Edwardian Bow Back Walnut Chair Arts & Crafts Mother of Pearl Inlay

Stunning Edwardian Bow Back Walnut Chair Arts & Crafts Mother of Pearl Inlay

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

however upon closer inspection the detail never ends. The three back splats are mother of pearl inlaid

Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Armchairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut

Queen Anne-Style Fiddle-Back Chair in Mahogany w/ Upholstered Slip Seat, c 1880
Queen Anne-Style Fiddle-Back Chair in Mahogany w/ Upholstered Slip Seat, c 1880

Queen Anne-Style Fiddle-Back Chair in Mahogany w/ Upholstered Slip Seat, c 1880

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

, vase-shaped splat, cabriole front legs with padded Dutch feet, splayed back legs, and four turned

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Queen Anne Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

12 Important John Gee 1779-1824 Original Regency Hardwood & Brass Dining Chairs
12 Important John Gee 1779-1824 Original Regency Hardwood & Brass Dining Chairs

12 Important John Gee 1779-1824 Original Regency Hardwood & Brass Dining Chairs

By John Gee

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

’ and (?) ‘WP’. SOANE MUSEUM, 4 plain splat back chairs marked with incised J within a G and with

Category

Antique 18th Century English Regency Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Rattan, Rosewood

Pair Of Custom English Regency Style Armchairs #5
Pair Of Custom English Regency Style Armchairs #5

Pair Of Custom English Regency Style Armchairs #5

Located in Bridgeport, CT

distinctive back splat of an interlocking ring design on the back with a neo-classical central medallion. The

Category

20th Century Regency Armchairs

Materials

Other

Millenium G-Plan Rocking Chair
Millenium G-Plan Rocking Chair

Millenium G-Plan Rocking Chair

Located in Folkestone, GB

back-splat surrounded by the words "2000 Anno Domini". In very good original condition with original

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs

Materials

Teak

Double-Bow Windsor Chair on Slender Turned Legs
Double-Bow Windsor Chair on Slender Turned Legs

Double-Bow Windsor Chair on Slender Turned Legs

Located in Harrodsburg, KY

fretted back-splat. Terrific color and patina. In good, usable condition. One of the short "torpedo

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Country Windsor Chairs

Materials

Elm, Yew

Russian Style Birch & Parcel Gilt Dining Chairs, 4
Russian Style Birch & Parcel Gilt Dining Chairs, 4

Russian Style Birch & Parcel Gilt Dining Chairs, 4

Located in Astoria, NY

pierced back splat with red velvet and golden striped upholstery. 38" H x 19.5" W x 18.5" D; seat: 20" H

Category

20th Century Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Birch

Pair of Painted 18th Century Swedish Baroque Chairs
Pair of Painted 18th Century Swedish Baroque Chairs

Pair of Painted 18th Century Swedish Baroque Chairs

Located in Mckinney, TX

surfaces worn back to reveal layers of age and use. The tall backs feature a sculptural splat framed by

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Chairs

Materials

Wood

Henredon Aston Court Chinoiserie Georgian Mahogany Dining Arm Chairs - a Pair
Henredon Aston Court Chinoiserie Georgian Mahogany Dining Arm Chairs - a Pair

Henredon Aston Court Chinoiserie Georgian Mahogany Dining Arm Chairs - a Pair

By Henredon

Located in Philadelphia, PA

bird carved back splats, Queen Anne legs, carved knees, original label/stamp, quality American

Category

Late 20th Century Georgian Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Of Vintage Custom English Regency Style Armchairs #4
Pair Of Vintage Custom English Regency Style Armchairs #4

Pair Of Vintage Custom English Regency Style Armchairs #4

Located in Bridgeport, CT

distinctive back splat of an interlocking ring design on the back with a neo-classical central medallion. The

Category

20th Century Regency Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

Pair Of Custom Vintage English Regency Style Armchairs #6
Pair Of Custom Vintage English Regency Style Armchairs #6

Pair Of Custom Vintage English Regency Style Armchairs #6

Located in Bridgeport, CT

distinctive back splat of an interlocking ring design on the back with a neo-classical central medallion. The

Category

20th Century Regency Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

Pair of 19th-century Dutch-style Inlaid Side Chairs
Pair of 19th-century Dutch-style Inlaid Side Chairs

Pair of 19th-century Dutch-style Inlaid Side Chairs

Located in San Francisco, CA

, tulips, foliage, butterflies and birds on all sides. While the upright backs with center splats are very

Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Colonial Side Chairs

Materials

Textile, Wood

PAIR of 18th Century Hepplewhite Period Side Chairs in Walnut, English Ca 1785
PAIR of 18th Century Hepplewhite Period Side Chairs in Walnut, English Ca 1785

PAIR of 18th Century Hepplewhite Period Side Chairs in Walnut, English Ca 1785

By George Hepplewhite

Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire

carved back splat, based around the Prince of Wales plumes. They have typical wide seats as Georgian

Category

Antique Late 18th Century British Hepplewhite Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Pair of Directoire Style Painted Armchairs
Pair of Directoire Style Painted Armchairs

Pair of Directoire Style Painted Armchairs

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

, back splat, an upholstered seat cushion, resting on turned tapered fluted legs. From the estate of Bob

Category

Late 20th Century Directoire Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Paint

Exceptional Set Of 14 Chippendale Style Dining Chairs From Smith & Watson
Exceptional Set Of 14 Chippendale Style Dining Chairs From Smith & Watson

Exceptional Set Of 14 Chippendale Style Dining Chairs From Smith & Watson

By Smith & Watson

Located in Bridgeport, CT

chairs with delicately carved and pierced back splats, fluted back supports and legs with stretcher base

Category

20th Century American Chippendale Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Danish Modern Teak Side Chair, Paper Cord Seat, in the Manner of Niels Miller
Danish Modern Teak Side Chair, Paper Cord Seat, in the Manner of Niels Miller

Danish Modern Teak Side Chair, Paper Cord Seat, in the Manner of Niels Miller

Located in Trenton, NJ

executed with evident care: the sculpted curved back splat, the swept rear legs, the precise teak joinery

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Papercord, Teak

Pair Of Custom Vintage English Regency Style Armchairs #2
Pair Of Custom Vintage English Regency Style Armchairs #2

Pair Of Custom Vintage English Regency Style Armchairs #2

Located in Bridgeport, CT

distinctive back splat of an interlocking ring design on the back with a neo-classical central medallion. The

Category

20th Century Regency Armchairs

Materials

Other

6 Anglo-Dutch Baroque Style Carved Walnut Side Chairs from the Fortress, NY
6 Anglo-Dutch Baroque Style Carved Walnut Side Chairs from the Fortress, NY

6 Anglo-Dutch Baroque Style Carved Walnut Side Chairs from the Fortress, NY

Located in Milford, NH

back splats and crests, featuring tulips and other foliate detail, continuing onto the heavily carved H

Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Vintage Raymond Sobota Ming Style Accent Chairs
Pair of Vintage Raymond Sobota Ming Style Accent Chairs

Pair of Vintage Raymond Sobota Ming Style Accent Chairs

By Raymond Sabota

Located in Bellport, NY

K Sobota. Showing high quality hardwood construction, Carved Back Splat, Brass Accents, and

Category

Mid-20th Century American Ming Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Vintage Set of 4 Carved Dining Chairs with Upholstered Seats.
Vintage Set of 4 Carved Dining Chairs with Upholstered Seats.

Vintage Set of 4 Carved Dining Chairs with Upholstered Seats.

Located in Seattle, WA

feature straight legs with side and front stretchers for added stability and support. The carved back

Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Oak

Pair Of Custom Vintage English Regency Style Armchairs #1
Pair Of Custom Vintage English Regency Style Armchairs #1

Pair Of Custom Vintage English Regency Style Armchairs #1

Located in Bridgeport, CT

distinctive back splat of an interlocking ring design on the back with a neo-classical central medallion. The

Category

Mid-20th Century Regency Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Splat Back", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

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.