William Plunkett Chair
Vintage 1960s English Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Steel
Early 20th Century American Industrial Stools
Iron, Steel
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Antique 1890s British Chippendale Stools
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Chrome
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Stools
Cane, Paint, Wood
Early 20th Century English Industrial Stools
Steel, Metal
Antique 17th Century French Louis XIII Stools
Bouclé, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Antique Early 1900s American Industrial Chairs
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Acrylic, Upholstery
Antique Early 1900s Stools
Leather
Early 20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Metal
Antique 1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Stools
Wood, Braid
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Stainless Steel
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s English Chairs
Aluminum, Iron
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s English Armchairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Settees
Steel
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s English Club Chairs
Chrome
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.
- Who was William Plunkett?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022William Plunkett was a furniture designer whose work combined sculptural flair with engineering precision in the 1950s and 1960s. Plunkett contributed to post-war British design, and his pieces are still in high demand today. Shop a collection of vintage and modern William Plunkett furniture on 1stDibs.
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