Viewing Settee
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Settees
Metal
Vintage 1970s Settees
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Settees
Leather, Upholstery, Teak
Antique 18th Century Dutch Rococo Settees
Fabric, Wood, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Directoire Settees
Brass
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Settees
Velvet, Wood, Walnut
Vintage 1980s Settees
Cotton
Vintage 1940s Neoclassical Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 18th Century French Charles X Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century English Chippendale Settees
Mahogany
Vintage 1980s French Provincial Settees
Cotton, Wood
Antique 1850s Italian Baroque Settees
Leather, Walnut
1990s American Post-Modern Settees
Bouclé, Upholstery
Vintage 1980s Settees
Leather, Cotton, Faux Fur
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Settees
Brass
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Settees
Upholstery, Oak
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Silk, Giltwood
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Settees
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Settees
Walnut
Antique Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Settees
Oak
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather
20th Century English Country Settees
Velvet, Beech, Oak
20th Century English Victorian Settees
Leather
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Settees
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Settees
Leather, Oak
Antique 1890s English High Victorian Settees
Leather, Hardwood
2010s American Modern Furniture
Oak
Vintage 1980s Chippendale Benches
Cotton, Mahogany
Vintage 1980s French Provincial Lounge Chairs
Cotton, Mahogany
Vintage 1980s French Provincial Lounge Chairs
Cotton, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Metal, Wrought Iron
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Zebra Hide, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Bohemian Sofas
Upholstery, Rattan
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Benches
Linen, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Wood, Leather
Vintage 1980s Louis XV Sofas
Cotton, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Side Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Benches
Bouclé, Upholstery
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Benches
Beech, Bentwood
Antique 1840s Chairs
Padouk
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
Antique 1870s French Empire Living Room Sets
Silk, Hardwood
Antique 1840s Armchairs
Wood
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Living Room Sets
Leather, Bentwood, Beech
Early 20th Century English Napoleon III Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Living Room Sets
Tapestry, Giltwood
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
Antique 1890s European Napoleon III Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Oak
Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
Foam
Antique 1870s French Louis XVI Sofas
Giltwood
Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
Foam
20th Century French Louis XV Living Room Sets
Leather, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century American Chippendale Loveseats
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Metal
Antique Early 1900s Benches
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Portrait Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s European Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster, Bronze
- 1
Viewing Settee For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Viewing Settee?
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
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.