Swan Shearling
2010s Danish Chairs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Modern Swivel Chairs
Sheepskin
Recent Sales
1990s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Steel
Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Sheepskin
People Also Browsed
2010s American Credenzas
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Alabaster, Steel
2010s Belgian Minimalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Cement, Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and...
Brass
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Birch
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Alpaca
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Ceramic
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Ash
2010s American Modern Console Tables
Steel, Cut Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Oak
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Glass
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Paintings and Screens
Paint
2010s European Table Lamps
Brass
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.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair Scrambled the Idea of What a Wingback Could Be
The curvaceous Egg was designed to cradle the body and offer privacy. Later, it became the seat of choice for bosses in movies, too.
113 Chairs That Prove Danish Design Isn’t Limited to Denmark
In an innovative display, the Designmuseum Danmark is permanently exhibiting the 20th century's most iconic seats.