Vintage Parsons Chair
Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
1990s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Suede, Oak
Vintage 1970s American Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Velvet
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Armchairs
Textile
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Velvet
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Club Chairs
Faux Leather
Late 20th Century North American Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century North American Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1970s Unknown Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Cotton, Silk, Velvet
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Club Chairs
Leather
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Velvet
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s Dining Room Chairs
Textile
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Hardwood, Rattan
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rattan, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Hardwood, Rattan
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Game Tables
Metal, Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Birch, Linen
Vintage 1950s American Lounge Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Late 20th Century Modern Armchairs
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric
Vintage 1970s American Armchairs
Vintage 1960s American Modern Chairs
20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1960s American Dining Room Chairs
Chrome, Steel
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1970s American Dining Room Chairs
Chrome, Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Late 20th Century American Club Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Parsons Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vintage Parsons Chair?
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.
- What is a Parsons chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024A Parsons chair is a type of dining chair. It features four wooden legs with a slight taper. In some cases, the front legs may be turned. The chairs also tend to have high rectangular backs and lightly padded seats, both clad in upholstery. The name Parsons chair refers to the Parsons School of Design in Paris, France, where students first developed the now iconic chair during the 1930s. Shop an assortment of Parsons chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a Parsons-style chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Parsons-style chair is a type of seating furniture with a simple square back and straight arms that connect to rectangular legs. The name comes from the Parsons School of Design in Paris, France, where the chairs originated in the 1930s. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Parsons-style chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024Why it is called a Parsons chair relates to the history of this seating style. During the 1930s, a group of students at the Parsons School of Design in Paris, France, created the first example of the Parsons chair for a project that involved trying to design a comfortable chair that could blend in with many types of decor. It quickly became popular among furniture makers, who began duplicating the chair, calling it the Parsons chair in honor of its creators. Explore a collection of Parsons chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The difference between a side chair and a Parsons chair is style. A side chair is a very commonly used dining chair. The form of a side chair may vary, but the constant is the lack of armrests to keep hands free for eating and to save space at the table. A Parsons chair is a type of side chair that features upholstery on the seat and back. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Many factors like wood, construction, and patina come into play when you date a vintage chair. If you can’t find a maker’s mark or any other kind of identifying mark on the piece, consult a furniture encyclopedia or a certified expert. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of vintage chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023To be vintage, a chair typically needs to be at least 20 years old, while a chair older than 100 years is an antique. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique, vintage and modern dining chairs from some of the world's top sellers.
- Is my vintage Eames chair real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To know if your vintage Eames chair is real, check for a reclining mechanism. On original chairs, the back had a permanent reclined position, so no mechanism is necessary. Also, a vintage piece is around 32 inches high, while later reproductions are normally bigger. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of expertly vetted Eames chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To identify a vintage Gunlocke chair, examine the legs. Most pieces will feature a tag that bears the brand name. On antique and early vintage chairs, the label will usually be made of paper or leather, while riveted brass tags appear on later vintage and contemporary chairs. Once you've confirmed that Gunlocke is the maker by checking the tag, browse the company's catalogues, which are available online, to determine approximately when it was made. Some tags may include a style or color number that will expedite the search. If your chair is 20 to 99 years old, it is vintage, while pieces that are 100 years old or older are antiques. You may wish to enlist the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer when identifying your chair. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Gunlocke chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023To tell how old a vintage chair is, first try and locate the manufacturer's label, tag or mark. Typically, identifying markings and tags appear under cushions or on the undersides of chairs. You may find that the date of manufacturing appears on the label or tag. If not, check trusted online resources to find out when the manufacturer was in business to make an estimate of the age. When in doubt, enlist the help of a certified appraiser or antiques dealer to help you date a particular chair. Find an assortment of antique, vintage and modern chairs on 1stDibs.
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