Wallace Nutting Chair
Antique Late 18th Century Side Chairs
Wood
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century North American American Classical Side Chairs
Rush
Antique 19th Century American Windsor Chairs
Maple
Early 20th Century American Side Chairs
Early 20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Maple
20th Century American American Classical Side Chairs
Wood
20th Century American American Colonial Windsor Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century American Sheraton Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Armchairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1930s American Windsor Chairs
20th Century American Windsor Chairs
Early 20th Century American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1920s American American Craftsman Windsor Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century North American American Craftsman Windsor Chairs
Wood
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Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Beech
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Brass
2010s Argentine Minimalist Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s American Modern Stools
Wood, Oak
Vintage 1940s French Brutalist Dining Room Chairs
Straw, Rush, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Oak, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern End Tables
Wood
2010s British Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Brass, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Rustic Dining Room Tables
Wood
Vintage 1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Antique 18th Century Andorran Cupboards
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Rustic Cabinets
Wood
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
Vintage 1950s European Side Tables
Metal
Antique 18th Century Italian Dining Room Tables
Walnut
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.
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