Willy Guhl Concrete Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl chair with cubed angular shape and wide seat. Fantastic aged patina with natural grown
Vintage 1960s Swiss Chairs
Concrete, Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl chair with cubed angular shape and wide seat. Fantastic aged patina with natural grown
Concrete, Cement
Pair of Willy Guhl Pod Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous pair of Willy Guhl Pod Chairs with patina. By the mid-20th century, Willy Guhl helped
Concrete
Willy GUHL - pair of loop chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Willy Guhl (1915–2004) Loop Chairs, 1968 Chaises sculpturales formées de rubans continus de ciment
Concrete
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Dated from the 60’s this piece, features a rare
Concrete
$7,400
H 21.66 in W 21.46 in D 29.93 in
Guhl Chair by Willy Guhl '1. Edition, Special Sealed, Safe Surface'
By Willy Guhl
Located in Zürich, CH
of concrete, its shape is curvy and expressive. There are versions of this chair, this being the
Concrete
Willy Guhl Loop Chair 1st edition with original wood 1950
By Willy Guhl
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible original from the 50s Loop Chair by Willy Guhl with wood in the base in perfect
Concrete
$5,251Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 25.6 in W 26.38 in D 21.26 in
Willy Guhl Pod Chair, Concrete, 1960s, Swiss
By Willy Guhl
Located in Corby, GB
Concrete 'Pod' chairs designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s. Beautiful patina with a weathered
Concrete
Modernis Concrete Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Willy Guhl's concrete garden chairs with tulip-style seats are exemplary pieces that epitomize
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic pair of concrete loop chairs by Willy Guhl. This pair of chairs were designed by Willy Guhl
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chair, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete pod chair designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Hand made in Switzerland by
Cement
Willy Guhl Style Sculptural Concrete Garden Chair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An exceptional sculptural concrete garden chair in the manner of Swiss designer Willy Guhl, dating
Concrete
Willy Guhl Style Sculptural Concrete Garden Chair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An exceptional sculptural concrete garden chair in the manner of Swiss designer Willy Guhl, dating
Concrete
Willy Guhl Style Sculptural Concrete Garden Chair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An exceptional sculptural concrete garden chair in the manner of Swiss designer Willy Guhl, dating
Concrete
Sculptural Concrete Chair and Table Set
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Four unique concrete chairs and coffee table Set - 1970s Rounded concrete set - organic form with
Concrete
French Concrete Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Unique solid concrete chair with curved loop shape base and amazing patina. Priced individually
Cement
Willy Guhl Style Concrete Tulip Chair, for Cristina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete aggregate chairs with a Tulip style base. Very unusual chairs with light patina and
Concrete
Willy Guhl Style Concrete Tulip Chairs, 1970s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique set of concrete aggregate chairs with a Tulip style base. Very unusual chairs with light
Concrete
Rare Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in New York, NY
Extremely rare iconic pod chair designed by Willy Guhl. The painted concrete chair, with cut-out
Concrete
Concrete Chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
Pair of concrete chair designed & signed by Willy Guhl for Eternit. The chairs are a bigger version
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1st Edition
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Untersiggenthal, AG
Iconic furniture design by Willy Guhl. This chairs was designed by Willy Guhl in 1954 after
Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chair Set of Six '6' Plus Table
By Willy Guhl
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Set of six (6) Original Willy Guhl loop chairs with side table sold as a period-original set
Concrete
Unavailable
H 21 in W 21.5 in D 29 in
Six Concrete Outdoor Mid-Century Modern “Loop” Chairs by Willy Guhl
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Made of fibrated concrete, this iconic Mid-Century Modern chair was designed by Willy Guhl in 1954
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic pair of concrete "pod" chairs by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Sculptural in form and
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Stools
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Willy Guhl concrete stools used at the Dokumenta II, in Kassel Germany in 1959. Seldom seen
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Stool
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Willy Guhl concrete stool used at the Dokumenta II, in Kassel Germany in 1959. Seldom seen for
Concrete
Concrete Garden Chairs in Style of Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Incredible one-of-a-kind outdoor concrete chairs with rich patina and moss. Sold as pairs. Two
Concrete
Set of Four Willy Guhl Concrete Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic set of concrete "pod" chairs by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Sculptural in form and
Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Concrete "loop" chairs designed by Willy Guhl in 1954 and manufactured by Eternit. Wonderful shape
Concrete
Architectural Chairs by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic set of four cement chairs by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Chairs would look great inside
Concrete
Pair of Willy Guhl Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Willy Guhl chairs with cubed angular shape and wide seat. Fantastic patina throughout - Geometric
Concrete, Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gorgeous pair of architectural loop chair by Swiss Designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Beautiful
Concrete
Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chair, 1970s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Gardena, CA
Iconic vintage Loop Chair by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for
Cement
Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chair, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Gardena, CA
Iconic vintage Loop Chair by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for
Cement
Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chair, 1970s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Gardena, CA
Iconic vintage Loop Chair by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for
Cement
Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chair, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Gardena, CA
Iconic vintage Loop Chair by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy Guhl for
Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs and Table
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Set of loop chairs and matching table by Swiss Designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Beautiful patina
Concrete
Willy Guhl - "Loop" chairs
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in PAU, FR
Two concrete chairs named "Loop" created by Willy Guhl in the 1950s. Produced by Eternit, it is
Concrete, Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chair Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-Century Modern fibercrete pair of loop chairs by Willy Guhl for Eternit. An alluring, open form
Concrete
Loop Chairs by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gorgeous pair of architectural loop chair by Swiss Designer Willy Guhl for Eternit. Beautiful
Concrete
Pair of Loop Chairs by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing pair of Willy Guhl Loop fauteuils, early model, in perfect condition. Concrete with
Concrete
Pair of Loop Chairs by Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing pair of Willy Guhl Loop Chairs, in A1 condition. Original patina.
Concrete
Willy Guhl Loop Chair for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in Forest, BE
An iconic piece of mid-century design, the Loop Chair by Willy Guhl was created for Eternit in the
Concrete
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in London, GB
Original Loop chair by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Dated from the 60’s this piece has a striking patina.
Concrete
Sold
H 20.08 in W 21.66 in D 29.93 in
Pair of Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1970s, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Gardena, CA
Iconic pair of vintage Loop Chairs by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy
Cement
Sold
H 20.08 in W 21.66 in D 29.93 in
Pair of Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1970s, Switzerland
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Gardena, CA
Iconic pair of vintage Loop Chairs by Swiss neo-functionalist and industrial design pioneer Willy
Cement
Sold
H 26 in W 25.5 in D 21 in
Robert Pansart and Willy Guhl French Sculptural Cast Concrete Garden Chair
By Willy Guhl, Robert Pansart
Located in Chicago, IL
Artistes Decorateurs, 1969. This chair is often attributed to Willy Guhl. This example has had its life
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning pair of concrete mushroom chairs by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Made for Eternit in the
Cement
Sold
H 21.66 in W 21.66 in L 21.66 in
Guhl Chair by Willy Guhl '1. Edition, Special Sealed, Safe Surface'
By Willy Guhl
Located in Zürich, CH
Willy Guhl was a Swiss furniture designer and became one of the most important representatives of
Concrete
Willy Guhl Loop Chair Eternit AG Switzerland, 1954
By Willy Guhl
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
garden chairs designed by Willy Guhl are made of cellulose infused fiber cement like concrete, which is
Concrete
Sold
H 27.56 in W 21.66 in L 27.56 in
1950s "Loop" Chair in Concrete by Willy Guhl, Produced by Eternit Brazil
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Iconic design by Willy Guhl, 1954. Produced by Eternit Brazil, this chair still has the wooden
Concrete
Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic furniture design by Willy Guhl. This chair was designed by Willy Guhl in 1954 after Guhl
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete pod chair designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Hand made in Switzerland by
Cement
Paire de fauteuils "Loop" Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in PARIS, FR
Paire de fauteuils "loop", conçues par Willy Guhl, 1954, Suisse. Ces chaises de jardin iconiques
Concrete
Willy Guhl Concrete Garden Chair
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wiily Guhl Concrete loop garden chair by Eternit. In good condition.
Concrete
Pair of Willy Guhl Sculptural Concrete Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare set of sculptural concrete chairs by Willy Guhl for Eternit. Faceted square chairs with great
Concrete
Pair of Willy Guhl Concrete Floating Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wonderful pair of Willy Guhl attributed "floating" cube chairs Large in scale with great patina
Concrete
1960s Willy Guhl Concrete Chairs for Eternit
By Willy Guhl
Located in Surrey, BC
designer/cabinetmaker/teacher, Willy Guhl, and made for Eternit in the 1960s. The painted concrete chairs
Concrete
Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic pair of concrete loop chairs by Willy Guhl. This pair of chairs were designed by Willy
Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs Pair of Eternit AG Switzerland, 1954
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
iconic garden chairs designed by Willy Guhl are made of cellulose infused fiber cement like concrete
Concrete
Rare Green Willy Guhl Concrete Mushroom Chair
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning green concrete mushroom chair by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. 60 plus years of patina
Cement
Pair of Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic pair of sculptural concrete pod chairs by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Made for Eternit in
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chair, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete pod chair designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Hand made in Switzerland by
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chair, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning concrete pod chair designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Hand made in Switzerland by
Cement
Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chairs, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning pair of concrete pod chairs designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Hand made in
Cement
Sold
H 20.87 in W 21.66 in D 30.71 in
Pair of Patinated Brutalist Willy Guhl Chairs for Eternit, circa 1950s
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in London, GB
. Sculptural in form, these chairs make a strong architectural statement both indoors and out. Stamped and
Concrete
Rare Pair of Willy Guhl Concrete Mushroom Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning pair of concrete mushroom chairs by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Made for Eternit in the
Cement
Rare Pair of Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing pair of concrete chairs by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Made for Eternit in the 1960s
Cement
Set of 3 Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning set of three concrete pod chairs designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Hand made in
Cement
Vintage Willy Guhl Concrete Loop Chairs, 1960s, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic pair of concrete loop chairs by Willy Guhl. This pair of chairs were designed by Willy Guhl
Cement
Set of 2 Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning set of two concrete pod chairs designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Hand made in
Cement
Set of 2 Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning set of two concrete pod chairs designed by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Hand made in
Cement
Concrete Tulip Chairs in Style of Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Unique concrete tulip shaped chairs in style of Willy Guhl. Production time Available now Of
Rare Set of 5 Willy Guhl Concrete Mushroom Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing set of five concrete mushroom chairs by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Made for Eternit in the
Cement
Rare Set of 6 Willy Guhl Concrete Pod Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing set of six concrete chairs by Swiss Architect Willy Guhl. Made for Eternit in the 1960s
Cement
$1,360 / item
H 13.39 in W 10.63 in D 10.63 in
Set Antique Vintage Acorn Opaline White Milk Glass Ceiling Pendant Light Lamp
Located in Sale, GB
- A fabulous run of church opaline acorn pendant lights with steel galleries, circa 1950. - Wear commensurate with age, all in excellent condition, the steel galleries are aged worn...
Glass
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
Willy Guhl Loop Table
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Willy Guhl Loop table is an icon of Swiss modernist furniture design. The Loop Table (also known as the Beach Table) was designed by Swiss industrial designer Willy Guhl in 1954....
Cement
$2,000 / item
H 8.5 in Dm 17.5 in
Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light
By DBO Home
Located in Sharon, CT
Classic, elegant, with a perfectly imperfect touch. We just love our new porcelain Parasol Fluted Pendants. Inspired by a vintage pie cover, we designed them to hang over our kitchen...
Brass
The Floating Bed
By Axel Wannberg
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
The Floating Bed A sense of hovering freely inspired cabinet maker Axel Wannberg to design The Floating Bed – a distinct bedroom piece in massive Swedish Pine. Pine wood is a beauti...
Pine
Organic Shaped Modern Coffee Table by Last Workshop, Walnut
By Last Workshop
Located in Chicago, IL
Organic shaped coffee table by Last Workshop, 2023 Solid walnut wood finish. IN STOCK: 1 If not in stock, current production: 6-7 weeks 58"L x 32" x 15"H Walnut finish. Customers ...
Hardwood, Walnut
The Lily, Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection. An iconic, unobtrusive design. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgiu...
Linen
The Montauk, Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection. An iconic, unobtrusive design. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgiu...
Linen
$2,750 / item
H 29.73 in W 20.28 in D 17.72 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" Dining Chair for Molteni, Cognac Leather, 1974
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & C
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" dining chair for Molteni, cognac leather and beech, Italy, 1974. The particular feature of this model is the support structure composed of two equal t...
Leather, Beech
$5,098Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Poplar Burl wood by Master for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Envisioned by designer Yaniv Chen, the Constant nightstand exudes an air of refined luxury, celebrating the inherent splendor of Poplar burl wood. Meticulously crafted with impeccabl...
Burl, Poplar
Rectangle Willy Guhl Mirror
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rectangle Willy Guhl mirror with fantastic patina'd thick signature cement frame and new mirror 2 sizes available / multiple quantities.
Cement
Willy Guhl Loop Chair, 1960s Brazil
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare vintage Willy Guhl Loop chair from Brazil. Perfect for indoors or outdoors as a great sculptural piece. Great as a poolside chair. This chair was designed by Willy Guhl in the e...
Cement
Custom Reclaimed Elm Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Made of wood reclaimed from Qing-dynasty architecture, this contemporary dining table is a celebration of wabi-sabi style. The clean lines highlight every knot, split, groove, and co...
Reclaimed Wood
Willy Guhl Loop Chairs
By Willy Guhl
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Pair of Willy Guhl "Loop" chairs with great patina. Sold as a pair of 2 chairs - 2 sets available Original Eternit production - Switzerland, circa 1950s.
Cement
$9,384Sale Price / set|57% Off
H 23.82 in W 20.67 in D 30.71 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Loop Chairs and Loop Table by Willy Guhl for Eternit
By Willy Guhl, Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Magnificent pair of Loop Chairs plus a Loop Table designed in 1954 by Willy Guhl for Eternit SA of Switzerland. These iconic garden chairs and table are made of a continuous sheet ...
Cement
$10,455 / set
H 20.48 in W 21.26 in D 31.5 in
Pair of "Loop Chair" Armchairs Willy Guhl Swiss Vintage Design, G212
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of garden armchairs model "Loop chair" by the Swiss designer Willy Guhl from the 60's edited by Eternit. Fiber cement ribbon forming a low garden chair with sober and pure lines...
Cement
Decades prior to the mass popularity of neo-industrial cement floors and furniture taking shape, there was Willy Guhl. The Swiss creative is considered one of the first “industrial” designers in his home country. He pioneered a rugged, organic style of modern furniture and decor — stylish planters, shapely seating and lots more — that remains widely coveted by many today.
Guhl was born in 1915 in Stein am Rhein and worked as a carpenter before beginning studies at the Zurich School of Applied Arts (known today as the Zurich University of the Arts), where he would go on to teach for nearly 40 years.
While Guhl is well-known for his range of provocative garden elements as well as his patio and outdoor furniture, today’s legion of mid-century modern enthusiasts are likely familiar with the designer’s iconic Loop chair (introduced in 1954). For this sculptural seat and other furnishings, Guhl tended toward industrial materials, which he bent and shaped into organic forms for a striking juxtaposition. Much of his work is crafted from either concrete or Eternit, a mixture of cement and asbestos developed by the Belgian company Etex, which, in the 1950s, commissioned Guhl and his students at the School of Applied Arts to conceive planters in the material. The resulting vessels — some hourglass-shaped, some in the form of handkerchiefs, all suitable for indoors or exteriors — remain some of Guhl’s most collectible pieces.
Guhl’s affiliation with the Swiss “neo-functional” movement centered on the idea of simplifying design without sacrificing form. According to Guhl, his mission was “achieving the most with the minimum of effort.”
In addition to his work as a designer, Guhl left his mark on subsequent creatives through his 39-year tenure at his alma mater, where he was instructor to the likes of Robert Haussmann, Kurt Thut and Bruno Rey. Modern-day shoppers at IKEA owe Guhl a debt of gratitude too. He was an early advocate of flat-pack furniture, championing its ability to make good design more widely accessible.
At its core, though, Guhl’s work was inherently human-centric: “At the center of my efforts, I put people and their living requirements,” he once said. “My products must be useful to people.” Guhl died in 2004 at the age of 89.
Find a range of vintage Willy Guhl furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
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.