Venetian Canape
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Settees
Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Canapes
Walnut, Silk
Mid-20th Century American Moorish Canapes
Fabric
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
20th Century Italian Rococo Benches
Fabric, Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Settees
Upholstery, Giltwood, Burl
Antique 19th Century Italian Louis XVI Loveseats
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Benches
Fabric, Wood
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Sofas
Mohair, Wood
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21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Minimalist Side Tables
Marble, Travertine
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
2010s African Arts and Crafts Wall Lights and Sconces
Clay, Earthenware
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Lacquer
Vintage 1970s French Stools
Aluminum
Late 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Tapestries
Cotton
Antique 1720s Spanish Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Giltwood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Pier Mirrors and Conso...
Paint, Wood, Gesso
Antique 19th Century Moroccan Moorish Coat Racks and Stands
Wood
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Birch
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Cabinets
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique 1870s French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Anglo-Indian Benches
Brass
2010s Italian Other Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century Italian Canapes
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Rococo Canapes
Velvet, Hardwood, Down
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Canapes
Walnut
Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Settees
Silk, Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Canapes
Giltwood
Antique 18th Century Italian Louis XV Sofas
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Canapes
Silk, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Canapes
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Italian Sofas
Walnut, Leather
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Canapes
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Rococo Canapes
Fabric, Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XIII Canapes
Walnut, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Italian Canapes
Walnut, Upholstery, Velvet
Antique 18th Century Italian Canapes
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century Italian Canapes
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Canapes
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Canapes
Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century English More Dining and Entertaining
Antique 1790s Italian Baroque Revival Canapes
Burlap, Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Settees
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Armchairs
Silk, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Ceramics
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century Italian Sofas
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Sofas
Fruitwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Sofas
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Antique 19th Century Italian Canapes
Giltwood, Linen
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Canapes
Wood, Silk, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Italian Other Canapes
Giltwood
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Baroque Canapes
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Benches
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1930s Italian Sofas
Walnut, Linen
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Sofas
Silk, Walnut
Antique 18th Century Italian Louis XV Settees
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Venetian Canape For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Venetian Canape?
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
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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
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.