Wicker Porter Chair
Early 20th Century English Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Chairs
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Mid-20th Century French Bohemian Chairs
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Organic Modern Armchairs
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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.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024A porter's chair is called that due to its history. Early examples of porter's chairs date back to medieval England and France. At that time, households positioned the chairs near the front doors of homes to give the hall porters a place to sit while they waited to receive guests. Although hall porters are less commonly employed in homes today, the upholstered chairs with their curved, deep backs continue to bear the name. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary chairs.
- What is a wicker peacock chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A wicker peacock chair is a chair made of wicker featuring a very large back that extends up and around, much like a peacock’s feathers when ruffled. This type of chair first appeared in the early 1900s and became very popular for photographs. Shop a collection of wicker furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Round wicker chairs are called papasan chairs. The round frame of the chair is usually made of rattan or wicker and is covered in a soft cushion. There is a wide range of wicker furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024The difference between rattan and wicker is that one is a material, and the other is a crafting technique. Wicker is a method of weaving together thin, slightly rigid elements together. Rattan is one material used to make wicker. It is a slightly flexible, wood-like substance that comes from one of hundreds of species of climbing vines from the Calamoideae subfamily. Artisans also produce wicker out of other materials, such as reeds, bamboo, willow and resin polymers. Explore a wide range of rattan and wicker furniture on 1stDibs.
- How long do wicker chairs last?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024How long wicker chairs last varies. Natural wicker can remain in good condition for around two to four years when used outdoors or for around four to seven years indoors. Resin wicker made of manmade materials has a longer lifespan and looks like new for upward of 10 years. To extend the life of your wicker furniture, follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer. Shop a collection of wicker chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Round wicker chairs with matching round cushions are Papasan chairs. You may also see them referred to as saucer chairs or bowl chairs. You can find a variety of Papasan chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Some round wicker chairs are called papasan chairs, saucer chairs, bowl chairs or moon chairs. If the chair is more oval and can seat two people instead of one, it is referred to as a mamasan chair. Shop a collection of wicker furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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