Upholstered Two Step Step Stool
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Stools
Wood
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Stools
Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Wood
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21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Antique Early 18th Century Belgian Paintings
Giltwood, Paint, Canvas
16th Century Old Masters Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Velvet, Wood, Ebony
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Stools
Fabric, Beech, Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
2010s Egyptian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
Antique 17th Century Belgian Paintings
Canvas
Antique Mid-17th Century Paintings
Copper
Antique Late 17th Century Dutch Baroque Paintings
Canvas
Antique Early 18th Century German Baroque Paintings
Canvas
2010s American Organic Modern Benches
Brass
Antique Late 17th Century Belgian Prints
Copper
Late 17th Century Old Masters Paintings
Oil
Antique 18th Century European Paintings
Canvas, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Benches
Teak
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.