Stencilled Rocking Chair
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Rush, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century British Colonial Rocking Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Faux Leather, Oak
Antique 1870s American Victorian Chairs
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American Country Windsor Chairs
Wood
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Antique 19th Century Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Wood
Mid-20th Century North American Dining Room Chairs
Paint
Late 20th Century American Anglo-Japanese Console Tables
Mirror, Hardwood, Lacquer, Paint
Vintage 1910s American Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Leather, Oak
20th Century American Country Stools
Fabric, Wood
Antique Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Leather, Oak
Antique Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1920s American Arts and Crafts Benches
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Leather, Cherry
Vintage 1960s French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Wood
Early 20th Century North American Mission Armchairs
Oak
Vintage 1910s American Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Brass
20th Century American Arts and Crafts Benches
Oak
Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Modern Dining Room Chairs
Maple, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Leather, Oak
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Painted Furniture
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Wood
Late 20th Century American American Colonial Rocking Chairs
Hardwood, Pine, Paint
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Rocking Chairs
Wood, Paint
Antique 1860s American American Colonial Rocking Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1970s American Colonial Rocking Chairs
Pine
Mid-20th Century Rustic Rocking Chairs
Hardwood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Country Rocking Chairs
Maple
Antique 19th Century Folk Art Rocking Chairs
Hardwood, Paint
Vintage 1970s Rustic Rocking Chairs
Maple, Pine
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Colonial Rocking Chairs
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Classical Rocking Chairs
Maple, Paint
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Beech
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 ExpertApril 5, 2022A platform rocking chair is a rocking chair constructed to have the rockers on a fixed platform rather than the floor. You’ll find a collection of vintage and contemporary platform rocking chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024What a rocking chair symbolizes is largely a matter of individual interpretation. Some people associate rocking chairs with comfort or relaxation. Because people often sit in the chairs to gently rock babies to sleep, the furniture may also represent parenthood or motherhood. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of rocking chairs.
- What is a Boston rocking chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Boston rocking chair is a wooden rocking chair with a decorative top panel and a seat and arms that curve down towards the front. Find an assortment of rocking chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a Windsor rocking chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021A Windsor rocking chair is built for comfort and is usually manufactured in such a way that the seat’s spindles, along with the chair-back and legs, are pushed into holes that have been drilled. This sets this type of chair apart, as the standard construction of a chair sees that the back legs are continuous. The Windsor chair originated in the early 1700s in the English town of Windsor. As mentioned, their bentwood back frames are assembled with slender wooden spindles that are plugged into drill holes in the sculpted seat, which was usually made of elm and slightly sunken or dish-shaped for the sitter’s comfort. Shop a collection of antique and vintage Windsor rocking chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019
A rocking chair helps soothe infants, children, and adults alike. The rocking and swaying movement helps create a meditative and lethargic state.
- How old is the rocking chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024The rocking chair is more than 275 years old. Early models date back to around 1725 and were made by outfitting Windsor chairs with skates. By 1787, rocking chairs were common enough for the word to be added to the English dictionary. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of rocking chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To identify a Thonet rocking chair, look for the company name. You will normally find it stamped directly onto the underside of the seat, arms or legs. You can find a collection of expertly vetted Thonet rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019
A wooden rocking chair can be cleaned using a sponge, soap, and water. After, you should proceed to pat the rocking chair down with a cloth.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To identify a Windsor rocking chair, enlist the help of a licensed furniture appraiser. Many convincing distressed reproductions exist due to their popularity and value. An experienced professional can accurately determine if yours is an authentic antique or a replica. Find a range of expertly vetted Windsor rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021The cost of a wooden rocking chair varies depending on the type of wood used, its finish and craftsmanship. Also, the period that the rocking chair belongs to will define the price of the chair. An antique rocking chair might cost between $500 and $1,500 while a contemporary rocking chair may cost somewhere between $150 and $400. Find a variety of antique, vintage, and contemporary wooden rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
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