Victorian Horseshoe Chair
Antique 19th Century English Campaign Side Chairs
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Chairs
Beech
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Elm
Antique Late 19th Century British Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
Antique 1880s North American Victorian Corner Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Victorian Center Tables
Rattan
Antique Late 19th Century British Armchairs
Ash, Elm
Antique Early 19th Century English William IV Armchairs
Leather
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Antique 19th Century Unknown Armchairs
Wool
Antique Late 19th Century French Country Ladders
Beech
20th Century English Chesterfield Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Metalwork
Brass
Early 20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 1900s Art Deco Desks
Oak
20th Century English Industrial Swivel Chairs
Chrome
Antique 1890s Moroccan Corner Chairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Wood
20th Century Unknown Colonial Revival Chairs
Cane, Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century American American Colonial Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Beech, Elm
Antique 1860s English Victorian Chairs
Leather, Oak
Antique 1890s Scottish Victorian Chairs
Walnut
Antique 1870s American American Classical Rocking Chairs
Rush, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Country Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Ash
Recent Sales
Antique 1870s Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 1870s English Victorian Chairs
Oak
Antique 1840s English Early Victorian Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Victorian Chairs
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Elm
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Rocking Chairs
Elm, Yew
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Upholstery
Antique 1870s Scottish Victorian Chairs
Beech, Elm
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Swivel Chairs
Walnut
20th Century English Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 1840s English Victorian Dining Room Sets
Damask, Mahogany
Antique 1830s English Regency Dining Room Sets
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Armchairs
Linen
Antique Late 19th Century European Chairs
Elm
Late 20th Century High Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
Antique Late 19th Century English Chairs
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Swivel Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Chairs
Antique 1880s English Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 1880s English Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 1890s English Late Victorian Club Chairs
Leather
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 1870s Victorian Armchairs
Mahogany
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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