Wabi Sabi Chaise
Late 20th Century Asian Organic Modern Chaise Longues
Palmwood
21st Century and Contemporary South African Chaise Longues
Steel
Mid-20th Century French Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Hemp, Beech
Vintage 1930s Primitive Benches
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
2010s Italian Modern Chairs
Ash
Vintage 1950s Indonesian Tribal Benches
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
2010s Ivorian Tribal Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
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2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
Marble
2010s Table Lamps
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Brass, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary British Organic Modern Wall Lights and Sco...
Plaster
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Plaster
21st Century and Contemporary American Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Night Stands
Oak
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s North American Modern Side Chairs
Hardwood
2010s Mexican Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rosewood, Leather, Fiberglass
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Hide, Maple
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1950s African Tribal Chaise Longues
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1950s African Tribal Chaise Longues
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1950s Organic Modern Benches
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1950s African Tribal Benches
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1950s French Brutalist Dining Room Chairs
Straw, Pine
Vintage 1950s Organic Modern Benches
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Teak
Vintage 1950s Primitive Benches
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1950s Ivorian Tribal Benches
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1950s Primitive Benches
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Benches
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1950s Primitive Benches
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
2010s Ivorian Tribal Benches
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Chaise Longues
Birch
2010s Primitive Benches
Teak, Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1950s African Tribal Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1950s African Tribal Benches
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Hemp, Beech
Vintage 1950s Primitive Benches
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1950s African Tribal Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
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 an example of wabi-sabi?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Wabi-sabi is the practice of finding the beauty in imperfections. Examples include flowers growing through cracks in the ground, or a broken ceramic bowl made whole again with its imperfections showing through. You’ll find a variety of wabi-sabi pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022One important aspect of wabi-sabi is the beauty in imperfect things, so a good example of wabi-sabi would be asymmetrical or even crude vessels and furniture. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of wabi-sabi furniture and other objects from some of the world’s top sellers.
- What is wabi-sabi furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Wabi-sabi furniture refers to tables, seats and other furnishings that reflect a specific Japanese design philosophy. It involves creating minimalist furniture that has a focus on appreciating the imperfections found in nature. On 1stDibs, find a collection of wabi-sabi furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023The primary principle of Wabi-Sabi is to appreciate the imperfections found in nature. As a result, Wabi-Sabi emphasizes asymmetry, roughness, simplicity and the use of natural materials and finishes. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of pieces based on Wabi-Sabi principles.
- What is wabi-sabi pottery?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Wabi-sabi pottery refers to earthenware vessels that embody the principles of a Japanese philosophy called wabi-sabi. Proponents of the idea believe that household objects should emphasize function over form, so that they satisfy needs but do not cause people to attach too much meaning to worldly possessions. There is also a focus on finding the beauty in imperfection and simplicity. On 1stDibs, find a collection of wabi-sabi pottery.
- Is Wabi-sabi a design style?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Wabi-sabi is technically not a design style, but it has influenced design. The term Wabi-sabi refers to a philosophy that emphasizes accepting imperfection and celebrating the impermanent beauty of nature. This concept has inspired many interior design trends, such as using organic and sustainable materials, selecting upcycled and repurposed pieces and integrating furniture and decorative objects that are unfinished, unpolished and unglazed. Shop a collection of pieces inspired by Wabi-sabi on 1stDibs.
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