Victorian Gossip Chair
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Bergere Chairs
Bouclé, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Loveseats
Wicker
19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary British Sofas
Velvet
People Also Browsed
Mid-20th Century Realist Landscape Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary British Organic Modern Wall Lights and Sco...
Plaster
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel
2010s French Modern Chairs
Oak
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Wood, Poplar, Burl
Antique Early 18th Century European Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass, Wire
2010s South African Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Carts and Bar Carts
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Chairs
Linen, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Musical Instruments
Wood, Giltwood
Antique 1890s German Dinner Plates
Porcelain
20th Century American Organic Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Metal
Vintage 1970s French Space Age Architectural Elements
Metal, Aluminum
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century Italian Settees
Gold Leaf
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Victorian slipper chair is a chair that was made to be shorter than the average chair. The height of its seat was 15 inches from the floor, compared to the standard 17 to 18 inches. Shop a collection of Victorian slipper chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 12, 2023What a Victorian lounge chair is called depends on its style. A piece that is long and narrow and has a raised headrest on one end and a lower backrest on the other is a fainting couch. Upholstered chairs that have long, extended seats meant for reclining are chaise longues. Find a collection of lounge chairs on 1stDibs.
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