Stickley Wingback Chair
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Cherry
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Wingback Chairs
Oak
Early 20th Century American Mission Wingback Chairs
Pine
Late 20th Century American Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century American Wingback Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
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 ExpertAugust 15, 2024To tell if a chair is a Stickley, look for the maker's mark, usually found underneath the seat. Depending on the age of the chair, it may appear on a paper or metal label, be burned into the frame or be stamped on it with ink. Stickley used a number of different markings over the years, but has images of most of its historic marks available for viewing on the maker's official website. You can compare the markings on your chair to those found in this reference. If you need assistance, enlist the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Stickley chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024To identify a Stickley chair, look under the seat and on the legs for a paper label or metal tag. Stickley has modified its markings over time, so you can use these to determine the approximate age of your chair as well as to figure out if it is a Stickley. You can find image guides to interpreting Stickley maker’s marks on trusted online resources. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer perform the identification process for you. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Stickley chairs.
- Are Stickley chairs marked?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Stickley chairs are usually marked. However, the markings changed over time. Early pieces have the brand burned onto the frame. Later pieces may show the name on a paper label, decal, metal plate or carved medallion. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Stickley furniture.
- Is a wingback chair comfortable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Whether a wingback chair is comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, many wingback chairs feature plush cushioning, and the tall backs can provide ample back support. A wingback’s protruding arms were initially designed to protect a sitter from drafts or intense heat from a fireplace. This may be obsolete in the 21st century, but the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals, from mid-century modern spin offs to playful contemporary adaptations (like the Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch, wherein the place of wings are furry ears — a cheeky send-up of Hans Wegner’s iconic mid-century Papa Bear chair). On 1stDibs, shop a range of wingback chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023There is no hard and fast rule about where a wingback chair should be placed. Historically, people used the large chairs in front of block drafts, and you can continue this tradition in your home. Alternatively, you can place one wherever it fits the layout of your room. To show off the distinctive shape of the chair, it is a good idea to position it somewhere that allows it to be viewed from the sides and back as well as the front. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of wingback chairs.
- What are wingback chairs called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Wingback chairs are sometimes called fireside chairs, easy chairs or grandfather chairs. However, many people simply call them wingback chairs or wing chairs. The name comes from the two curved wings mounted on the sides of the backrest. On 1stDibs, find a variety of wingback chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Wingback chairs emerged during the 17th-century era. The wings on classic wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose, or did, when they were first conceived in England in the 1600s. Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explanation is why the wingback is strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace. Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years. Shop a selection of wingback chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The purpose of a wingback chair is to provide seating. Usually, these upholstered chairs go in seating areas and allow people to rest comfortably while carrying on conversations, reading and performing other activities. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique and vintage wingback chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024The difference between a Morris chair and a Stickley chair comes down to origins and characteristics. A Morris chair gets its name from William Morris, one of the founders of the British company Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. During the late 1860s, the company began producing the Morris chair, which has a reclining seat back and an intricately carved wood frame. This design spread to the U.S., where it was seen by Gustav Stickley. Drawing inspiration from it, Stickley produced the Stickley chair in 1904. Like the Morris chair, the piece has a reclining back but a simpler slatted frame that aligns with the American Arts and Crafts design style. Due to its origins, some people call the Stickley chair the Stickley Morris chair or the Mission Morris chair. Explore a collection of Stickley chairs and Morris chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To tell if a Morris chair is a Stickley, look for the furniture designer's mark. Often, Gustav Stickley marked his pieces with a compass logo, his signature and the phrase "Als ik kan." The phrase roughly means "to the best of my ability." On 1stDibs, shop a collection of expertly vetted Stickley chairs.
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