What is a balloon back chair?

A balloon back chair is a specific type of seat that became popular during the Victorian era. It features a curved back that tapers as it travels down to the seat. Many balloon back chairs are armless, and nearly all examples feature upholstered seats. You'll find a range of balloon back chairs on 1stDibs.

What era are balloon back chairs?

Balloon back chairs are from the Victorian era, which lasted from the late 1830s to the turn of the 20th century. These chairs get their name from their rounded backrests and narrow waists, which make it seem like their tops have ballooned or grown in size. On 1stDibs, shop a range of balloon back chairs.

When were balloon back chairs made?

Balloon back chairs were made mostly in the Victorian era, as they were highly popular at this time in the 19th century. It is generally regarded as a classic antique dining room chair. Browse an array of authentic antique balloon back chairs on 1stDibs.

What is an antique Bergère chair?

An antique Bergère chair is a Victorian-era French armchair, often with upholstered armrests and a removable seat cushion. The curved back of this chair would be crafted with wicker. Shop a collection of Bergère chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

How can you tell if a dining chair is antique?

To tell if a dining chair is antique, first look for markings that can help you identify the maker. You will normally find these under the seat. By using information published on trusted online resources, you can research the markings to learn who made the chair and when the maker was active. Any dining chair made 100 years ago or earlier is an antique. Another way to identify antique chairs is to examine their details closely. Most antique dining chairs are handmade, so you can expect to see subtle tool markings and slight irregularities. A lack of these characteristics may indicate that a dining chair is machine-made and less likely to be an antique. For assistance with dating your dining chairs, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique dining chairs.

How do I find out what my antique chair is worth?

To find out what your antique chair is worth, you can conduct research using trusted online resources. Specifically, study the sales history for pieces similar to yours in terms of maker, age, style and type. Because the condition of your chair will also impact its value, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer inspect and evaluate your piece. Find a collection of antique chairs on 1stDibs.

How can you tell how old an antique chair is?

To tell how old an antique chair is, you have a few options. One is to conduct research on your own using trusted online resources and print references from your local library. If your chair has a maker's mark, learning more about the company, artisan or workshop that produced it can be a good starting point. Dating unmarked chairs can be more difficult because certain styles remained in production for long periods. In this case, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate your chair for you. Shop a wide range of antique chairs on 1stDibs.

How do you tell if your rocking chair is an antique?

To tell if your rocking chair is an antique, search the back, rockers and the underside of the seat for a label, stamp or other marking. If you locate one, conduct online research using trusted resources to learn about the maker. By finding out when the manufacturer produced chairs similar to yours, you may be able to determine if your chair is at least 100 years old, making it an antique. If you cannot find a maker's mark, consider contacting a certified appraiser or antique dealer and asking them to date your piece for you. Explore a range of antique rocking chairs on 1stDibs.

How much is an antique barber chair worth?

Depending on the quality, age, and model, Koken vintage barber chairs can sell for $500 to $6000. Older chairs will often have a higher value.

How much is my antique high chair worth?

There is no universal guideline for determining the value of antique high chairs. Typically, high chairs can cost anywhere between $50 and $500. The price of a high chair is determined by the condition of the chair, its construction, whether or not all parts are intact and its desirability.

What did antique carver chairs originally look like?

The design has changed over the years, but most antique carver chairs were made of wood . Antique carver chairs were wide chairs made in 17th century New England — with backs that featured several supporting spindles — although there were no spindles between the armrests and the seat. Antique carver chairs were typically topped with decorative ornaments.

Antique Balloon Chair

Queen Anne Balloon Seat

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19th Century French Painted and Parcel Gilt Balloon Back Chairs, Set of Six

Located in Birmingham, AL

A refined marriage of neoclassical symmetry and Provençal elegance, this set of six 19th century French Louis XVI style balloon back dining chairs exemplifies the artistry and sophis...

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Balloon Chair

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Wood

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Just an AMAZING pair of custom French vintage black lacquer balloon chairs with new gold and black leopard fabric with tufted details on back of chairs.Tight and secure beyond fabulo...

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Mahogany

Set of 6 French Rosewood Antique Balloon-Back Side Chairs with Cabriole Legs

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H 32.5 in W 21.5 in D 22 in

Pair of French Louis XV Style Leather Slipper Chairs by Alavoine et Cie

By Alavoine et Cie

Located in Charlottesville, VA

A handsomely carved pair of waxed beechwood chairs with balloon seats resting on four cabriole legs.

Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Balloon Chair

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Beech

Antique Early 19th Century Set Of 6 Finest Quality Dining Chairs ( REF AF-3414 )

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H 34.26 in W 18.71 in D 15.75 in

Antique Early 19th Century Set Of 6 Finest Quality Dining Chairs ( REF AF-3414 )

Located in Ledbury, GB

An exquisite set of 6 balloon back dining chairs from the 19th century, crafted from luxurious rosewood.

Category

19th Century British Antique Balloon Chair

Materials

Rosewood

French Balloon Back Chair x Voutsa Snakes on Black

Unavailable

H 36.75 in W 23 in D 17.5 in

French Balloon Back Chair x Voutsa Snakes on Black

By Voutsa

Located in New York, NY

French Balloon Back Chair x Voutsa Snakes on Black

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Mid-19th Century Louis XVI Antique Balloon Chair

Materials

Silk, Wood

Victorian Mahogany Carved Balloon Back Velvet Chair on Casters

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H 36 in W 23 in D 24 in L 23 in

Victorian Mahogany Carved Balloon Back Velvet Chair on Casters

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This chair features a curved crest rail with carved cartouche over a button-tufted, balloon back articulated flower petal like upholstered panel above a round, padded seat.

Two Balloon-Back Chairs

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H 35.5 in W 19 in D 16 in

Two Balloon-Back Chairs

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A handsome pair, sturdy and comfortable, Victorian balloon-back dining chairs, circa 1880. These chairs are solid enough for everyday use.

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Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Balloon Chair

Set of 4 Victorian Balloon Back Dining Chairs The Chairs have Balloon Backs

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H 34 in W 16 in D 17 in

Set of 4 Victorian Balloon Back Dining Chairs The Chairs have Balloon Backs

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Set of 4 Victorian Balloon Back Dining Chairs The Chairs have Balloon Style Backs and newly woven flat cane seats.

Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Balloon Chair

Materials

Beech

FOLKY BALLOON BACK EARLY 19THC ORIGINAL PAINTED WINDSOR CHAIR

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H 38 in W 20 in D 16 in

FOLKY BALLOON BACK EARLY 19THC ORIGINAL PAINTED WINDSOR CHAIR

Located in Los Angeles, CA

FOLKY AND RARE BALLOON BACK EARLY 19THC ORIGINAL BLACK PAINTED WINDSOR CHAIR FROM NEW ENGLAND.GREAT FORM AND CONDITION.THIS CHAIR ALSO HAS GREAT HEIGTH AND IS VERY CONFORTABLE .

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Pair of 1920s French Hot Air Balloon Side Chairs

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H 34 in W 18.5 in D 18 in

Pair of 1920s French Hot Air Balloon Side Chairs

Located in Tarrytown, NY

Pair of French hot air balloon side chairs from the 1920s with original leather seats.

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Antique German Folk Art Stenciled Fruit & Foliate Balloon Back Chairs, 19th C

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$3,350 / set

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H 35.5 in W 21 in D 26 in

Fine Pair Of Regency Style Armchairs

Located in Bridgeport, CT

In olive-brown stained wood. Carved in the classic Regency manner with reeded and turned crest rails and back supports, the center one in an intricate openwork pierced pattern. Scrol...

Category

20th Century Unknown Regency Antique Balloon Chair

Materials

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Brass

Jindřich Halabala Art Deco 'Tulip' Stool in Floral Tapestry, 1930s

$2,200

$16,188 / set

$13,278

H 57.09 in W 77.17 in D 85.44 in

Bergère Bed: UK Super King, Hand Carved in the LXVI Style by La Maison London

By La Maison London

Located in London, Park Royal

The Bergère bed is a classic, French style, Louis XVI design. This period was founded on the "Beau Idéal': the idealisation of beauty, based on the purity and grander of the ancient...

Category

2010s British Louis XVI Antique Balloon Chair

Materials

Wood, Paint

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Antique Balloon Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic antique balloon chair available at 1stDibs. An antique balloon chair — often made from wood, walnut and mahogany — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect antique balloon chair — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. An antique balloon chair, designed in the Victorian, Louis XVI or Folk Art style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Many designers have produced at least one well-made antique balloon chair over the years, but those crafted by Maison Jansen and Europa Antiques are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Antique Balloon Chair?

An antique balloon chair can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $1,400, while the lowest priced sells for $180 and the highest can go for as much as $22,705.

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.

Questions About Antique Balloon Chair

What is a balloon back chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A balloon back chair is a specific type of seat that became popular during the Victorian era. It features a curved back that tapers as it travels down to the seat. Many balloon back chairs are armless, and nearly all examples feature upholstered seats. You'll find a range of balloon back chairs on 1stDibs.
What era are balloon back chairs?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
Balloon back chairs are from the Victorian era, which lasted from the late 1830s to the turn of the 20th century. These chairs get their name from their rounded backrests and narrow waists, which make it seem like their tops have ballooned or grown in size. On 1stDibs, shop a range of balloon back chairs.
When were balloon back chairs made?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Balloon back chairs were made mostly in the Victorian era, as they were highly popular at this time in the 19th century. It is generally regarded as a classic antique dining room chair. Browse an array of authentic antique balloon back chairs on 1stDibs.
What is an antique Bergère chair?
2 Answers
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
An antique Bergère chair is a Victorian-era French armchair, often with upholstered armrests and a removable seat cushion. The curved back of this chair would be crafted with wicker. Shop a collection of Bergère chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Bergere chairs are a type of upholstered French armchair that have an enclosed design. They’re designed for lounging comfortably and usually feature deep, wide seats. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique Bergere chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
How can you tell if a dining chair is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024
To tell if a dining chair is antique, first look for markings that can help you identify the maker. You will normally find these under the seat. By using information published on trusted online resources, you can research the markings to learn who made the chair and when the maker was active. Any dining chair made 100 years ago or earlier is an antique. Another way to identify antique chairs is to examine their details closely. Most antique dining chairs are handmade, so you can expect to see subtle tool markings and slight irregularities. A lack of these characteristics may indicate that a dining chair is machine-made and less likely to be an antique. For assistance with dating your dining chairs, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique dining chairs.
How do I find out what my antique chair is worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
To find out what your antique chair is worth, you can conduct research using trusted online resources. Specifically, study the sales history for pieces similar to yours in terms of maker, age, style and type. Because the condition of your chair will also impact its value, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer inspect and evaluate your piece. Find a collection of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
How can you tell how old an antique chair is?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
To tell how old an antique chair is, you have a few options. One is to conduct research on your own using trusted online resources and print references from your local library. If your chair has a maker's mark, learning more about the company, artisan or workshop that produced it can be a good starting point. Dating unmarked chairs can be more difficult because certain styles remained in production for long periods. In this case, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate your chair for you. Shop a wide range of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
How do you tell if your rocking chair is an antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
To tell if your rocking chair is an antique, search the back, rockers and the underside of the seat for a label, stamp or other marking. If you locate one, conduct online research using trusted resources to learn about the maker. By finding out when the manufacturer produced chairs similar to yours, you may be able to determine if your chair is at least 100 years old, making it an antique. If you cannot find a maker's mark, consider contacting a certified appraiser or antique dealer and asking them to date your piece for you. Explore a range of antique rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
How much is an antique barber chair worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Depending on the quality, age, and model, Koken vintage barber chairs can sell for $500 to $6000. Older chairs will often have a higher value.
How much is my antique high chair worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
There is no universal guideline for determining the value of antique high chairs. Typically, high chairs can cost anywhere between $50 and $500. The price of a high chair is determined by the condition of the chair, its construction, whether or not all parts are intact and its desirability.
What did antique carver chairs originally look like?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
The design has changed over the years, but most antique carver chairs were made of wood. Antique carver chairs were wide chairs made in 17th century New England — with backs that featured several supporting spindles — although there were no spindles between the armrests and the seat. Antique carver chairs were typically topped with decorative ornaments.

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