Arne Norell for Gösta Westerberg ‘Gary’ (‘The Thumb’) Easy Chair, 1950s
By Gösta Westerberg Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Prague, New Town
‘Gary’ (‘The Thumb’) easy chair, designed by Arne Norell. Produced by Gösta Westerberg in Sweden, 1952.
Fabric, Beech
Bruno Mathsson EVA Chairs in Woven Cognac Leather, DUX, 1970s
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in LYON, FR
Rare EVA chair designed by Bruno Mathsson and produced by DUX, Sweden, in the 1980s. The EVA chair is one of Bruno Mathsson's most emblematic designs and a major example of Swedish ...
Leather, Beech
$8,109 / item
Sampo Wing Chair in Sheepskin by Dagmar
Located in London, England
Dagmar design Sampo wing chair A custom-made wing chair developed & produced using the highest quality materials. This obscure design originated from the workshop of little-know...
Sheepskin, Beech, Fabric, Velvet, Oak, Walnut
Pair of 'Läckö' Easy Chairs by Ingemar Thillmark, 1960s
By Ingemar Thillmark
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of easy chairs model 'Läckö' designed by Ingemar Thillmark. Produced by OPE, Sweden, 1960s. Good vintage condition, with small signs of usage.
Leather, Beech
"Diana" Safari Chair set by Karin Möbring for Ikea, 1990's
By IKEA
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Design "Diana" Safari Chair set by Karin Möbring for Ikea. These are designed in the 1970's. This armchair set is made in the 1990's, as the original Ikea label reads. Pine w...
Fabric, Beech
Scandinavian Lounge Chair & ottoman "Pernilla 1" by Bruno Mathsson, LEATHER
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Known for his innovative use of bentwood and ergonomic principles, Mathsson's 'Pernilla 1' chair is a prime example of his iconic work. The chair features a gracefully curved bentwoo...
Leather, Beech, Birch, Bentwood
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, 1970s.
Brass
Kerstin Hörlin Holmquist Little Eva set of lounge chair 1950's
By Kerstin Horlin Holmquist
Located in Uccle, BE
The stained, tapered Beech wood legs harmonize beautifully with the sculptural and organic shape of the chairs.
Fabric, Beech
Scandinavian Modern Easy Chair by Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist, ca 1950s
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Kerstin Horlin Holmquist
Located in Örebro, SE
Scandinavian modern easy chair “Adam” by Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden 1950s. This model is from the timeless and iconic Paradise Collection from the Triva ...
Textile, Beech
Yngve Ekström Fortino Lounge Chair & Ottoman, 1960s Sunflower Corduroy
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Bochum, NRW
Original Sunflower Yellow Corduroy by Swedese, Sweden, 1960s A stunning example of Scandinavian design, this Fortino Lounge Chair with Ottoman by celebrated designer Yngve Ekström fo...
Velvet, Beech, Tapestry
Bruno Matthsson "Pernilla" Easy chair by Karl Mathsson 1944 Josef Frank cushion
By Bruno Mathsson, Josef Frank
Located in Brønshøj, DK
Bruno Mathsson – an early ‘Pernilla’ chair Frame of laminated beech with patinated lightblue canvas webbing and headrest upholstered with Josef Frank ‘loops’ fabric. Made and marked ...
Canvas, Beech
Kerstin Hörlin Holmquist Little Adam, Little Eva set of lounge chairs 1950's
By Kerstin Horlin Holmquist
Located in Uccle, BE
The upholstery was made with a gray linen blend fabric, offering a soft touch that complements Hörlin-Holmquist’s aesthetic. The stained, tapered Beech wood legs harmonize beautifull...
Fabric, Beech
Scandinavian Easy Chairs "Arbetsstolen" by Bruno Mathsson, 1940s
By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Karlstad, SE
Gorgeous pair of “Arbetsstolen” lounge chairs by Bruno Mathsson for Karl Andersson & Söner, Sweden, 1940s. This early pair is made with paper webbing, due to loss of hemp during the ...
Leather, Beech
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.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
Andrianna Shamaris has filled her epic new home with pieces of her own design.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.