Upholstered Armchair Rocker
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin, Oak
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Armchairs
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Early 2000s American Rustic Patio and Garden Furniture
Upholstery, Wicker
Vintage 1970s Unknown Lounge Chairs
Steel
Antique Mid-19th Century English Rocking Chairs
Iron
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
Bentwood
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21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Steel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
2010s Spanish Country Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Brass
Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Sofa Tables
Wood
Vintage 1980s Norwegian Post-Modern Stools
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Patio and Garden Furniture
Metal, Wrought Iron
Vintage 1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut
2010s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Early 20th Century Art Deco Armchairs
Metal
Antique 19th Century North American Victorian Rocking Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Cabinets
Birch
Recent Sales
Vintage 1930s American Streamlined Moderne Armchairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Danish Armchairs
Teak, Wool, Upholstery
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Wingback Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1930s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Antique 1630s American Machine Age Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Chairs
Oak
Antique 1880s American Chairs
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Armchairs
Iron, Wrought Iron
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Rocking Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Patio and Garden Furniture
Wood, Upholstery, Wicker, Reed
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker, Rattan
Vintage 1950s American Armchairs
Iron
Vintage 1960s American Armchairs
Vintage 1950s French Armchairs
Vintage 1970s American Armchairs
Metal
Early 20th Century American Armchairs
Fabric
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Living Room Sets
Fabric, Reed
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
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This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
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Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
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Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
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.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.