Yngve Ekström Arka Spindle Chair, Sweden c.1950’s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Lutz, FL
Designed by Yngve Ekström in 1955 for Stolfabriks AB, Sweden.
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood
Yngve Ekström Arka Spindle Chair, Sweden c.1950’s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Lutz, FL
Designed by Yngve Ekström in 1955 for Stolfabriks AB, Sweden.
Faux Leather, Wood
Yngve Ekström Arka White lounge chair Stolab Sweden 1955
By Stolab, Yngve Ekström
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful sculptural lounge chair model Arka designed by Yngve Ekström for Stolab, Sweden 1955.
Beech
Swedish Mid Century Sculptural Yngve Ekström "Arka" Easy Armchairs in Oak, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare pair sculptural Swedish mid century curved "Arka" wooden armchairs in stained solid oak by Yngve Ekström produced in Sweden, 1950s In good original condition with beautiful na...
Oak
Round Chair By Yngve Ekstrom Arka Vintage Maple Armchair, Made In Sweden
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a very rare Arka chair designed by Yngve Ekstrom and executed by Stolab of sweden.
Wood
Early Arka Chairs by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare, early pair of Arka chairs by Yngve Ekström for Stolab, Sweden, 1950s.
Wood
Swedish Mid Century Wooden "Arka" Armchairs in Oak by Yngve Ekström, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare pair of Swedish mid century wooden armchairs model "Arka" in stained oak by Yngve Ekström produced in Sweden, 1950s.
Oak
Scandinavian Modern Oak Vintage Lounge Chair Arka by Yngve Ekström Sweden, 1955
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian Modern vintage lounge chair or armchair from oak model Arka by Yngve Ekström 1955, Sweden. A gorgeous chair showing famed sleek chic of the Scandinavian designers and wo...
Oak
1950ies Arka Lounge chair designed by Ingve Ekström for Stolab, 1955
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
The wooden chair, designed by Yngve Ekström in 1955 and manufactured at Stolab’s own factory in Smålandsstenar, Sweden.
Wool, Oak
Unavailable
H 22.05 in W 27.96 in D 25.99 in
Yngve Ekström “Arka” Chair in Oak Designer Manufacturer, Stolfabriks AB
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Grenoble, FR
Yngve Ekström “Arka” oak pair of chairs in perfect original condition Manufacturer: Stolfabriks AB.
Oak
Pair of Yngve Ekström ‘Arka’ Lounge Chairs
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful and iconic pair of "Arka" chairs designed by Yngve Ekström for Stolab.
Oak
Unavailable
H 25.6 in W 28.35 in D 18.51 in
Yngve Ekström Arka Chair Contemporized and Named "brachialer Konstruktivismus"
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Frankfurt, DE
Yngve Ekström contemporized "Brachialer Konstruktivismus" lounge chair Arka Armchair from Designer Yngve Ekström 1913-1988, contemporized by adding a handcarved olive tree branch in...
Acrylic, Oak, Olive
Unavailable
H 25.6 in W 27.56 in D 18.51 in
Konstruktuvismus, Yngve Ekström, contemporized by Markus Friedrich Staab 2022
By Markus Friedrich Staab
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Yngve Ekströms Arka chair de-constructed, cutted, painted, spray-painted, multi-lacquered in high gloss by german fuctional artist Markus Friedrich Staab.
Birch, Lacquer, Paint
Unavailable
H 25.6 in W 27.56 in D 18.51 in
Konstruktuvismus, Yngve Ekström, contemporized by Markus Friedrich Staab 2022
By Markus Friedrich Staab
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Yngve Ekströms Arka chair de-constructed, cutted, painted, spray-painted, multi-lacquered in high gloss by german fuctional artist Markus Friedrich Staab.
Birch, Lacquer, Paint
Unavailable
H 26.38 in W 28.35 in D 20.87 in
White Mid-Century Modern Arka Chair by Yngve Ekström for Stolab, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström, Stolfabriks Ab, Smålandsstenar
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Beautiful armchair by Yngve Ekström for Stolefabrik AB Sweden. The 'Arka' chair is a simple yet refined design.
Wood, Beech, Bentwood
Yngve Ekstrom 'Arka' Beechwood Chair
By Yngve Ekström
Located in London, England
Yngve Ekstrom Arka chair, circa 1955. Produced by Stolfabriks AB Sweden, circa 1955.
Beech
Yngve Ekstrom 'Arka' Lounge Chair
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Yngve Ekstrom 'Arka' lounge chair for Stolab Sweden, circa 1955.
Oak
Yngve Ekstrom 'Arka' Spindle Back Lounge Chair
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely Yngve Ekstrom 'Arka' white lacquered spindle back chair with tapered legs.
Wood
Yngve Ekström Arka Chair Solid Oak, 1955
By Yngve Ekström, Stolfabriks Ab, Smålandsstenar
Located in Munich, DE
Yngve Ekström Arka chairs in solid oak designed by Yngve Ekstro¨m and manufactured by Stolfabriks AB from 1955.
Oak
Pair of Yngve Ekstrom “Arka” Lounge Chairs
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Yngve Ekstrom pair of Arka lounge chairs. Exceptional pair with beautiful Grain throughout!
Oak
Yngve Ekström Arka Chair for Stolab, Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Balen, BE
Sculptural "Arka" lounge chair designed by Yngve Ekström for Stolab Sweden in 1955.
Birch
Yngve Ekström Arka Chairs, circa 1955
By Yngve Ekström, Stolfabriks Ab, Smålandsstenar
Located in London, England
Produced by Stolfabriks AB Sweden, circa 1955. Beechwood finished in black lacquered paint.
Yngve Ekstrom "Arka" Chair by Stolfabriks AB
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Simple solid oak chair with spindle back with plank seat and dowel legs giving an almost Shaker look to this Danish chair.
Oak
Yngve Ekström “Arka” Chair for Stolfabriks AB
By Yngve Ekström, Stolfabriks Ab, Smålandsstenar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Swedish “Arka” chair by furniture craftsman and architect, Yngve Ekström for Stolfabriks AB in Sweden c. 1950’s.
Wood, Teak
Yngve Ekstrom Arka chairs pair, Sweden 1955
By Yngve Ekström, Stolfabriks Ab, Smålandsstenar
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic pair of lounge chairs by Yngve Ekstrom. These chairs are mostly black or white and very hard to find in this wooden edition. Very nice beech chairs in super condition. Can ...
Beech
Black Yngve Ekstrom Arka chair by Swedese, 1960
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful armchair designed by Yngve Ekstrom and produced by Swedese in the 1960's.
Birch
Pair of Yngve Ekström Arka Chairs, Sweden, 1955
By Yngve Ekström, Stolfabriks Ab, Smålandsstenar
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Pair of fantastic shaped small easy chairs designed by Yngve Ekström for Stolfabriks AB, Sweden, 1955. Typical dynamic Swedish shaped chair, nice small size and crafted. One black an...
Wood
Pair of Yngve Ekström ‘Arka’ Oak Lounge Chairs, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Karis, Nyland
Midcentury Swedish “Arka” chair by furniture craftsman and architect, Yngve Ekström for Stolfabriks AB in Sweden, circa 1950s.
Oak
“Arka” Chair by Yngve Ekström for Stolfabriks AB, Smålandsstenar
By Yngve Ekström, Stolfabriks Ab, Smålandsstenar
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Yngve Ekström “Arka” chair. Manufactured by Stolfabriks AB, Smålandsstenar and distributed by DUX.
Oak
'Arka' Chair by Yngve Ekstrom
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Chicago, IL
Yngve Ekstrom Windsor Style Chairs. stamped [made in sweden]
Oak
Yngve Ekström Pair of "Arka" Chairs
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Grenoble, FR
Yngve Ekström Pair of "Arka" chairs designed by Yngve Ekström for Stolab.
Oak
Swedish "Arka" Chair by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage "Arka" Chair designed by Yngve Ekström for Stolab.
Oak
Yngve Ekström Easy Chairs Model Arka by Stolab in Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of Arka easy chairs designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced by Stolab in Sweden.
Oak
Yngve Ekström Easy Chair, Model Arka by Stolab in Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy chair model Arka in solid oak designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced by Stolab in Sweden.
Oak
Arka Chair by Yngve Ekström, Hand-Crafted Oak, Scandinavian Modern
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Portland, OR
Nice early example of the Arka chair by Yngve Ekström. Sweden, 1950s. Solid oak.
Oak
1950s Scandinavian Modern Yngve Ekstrom Oak Arka Lounge Chair, Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Sacramento, CA
1950s Scandinavian Modern Arka oak lounge chair designed by Yngve Ekstrom, and made in Sweden.
Oak
Arka Oak Chair by Yngve Ekström, by Ab Stolfabriks, Sweden, 1955
By Yngve Ekström
Located in London, GB
Manufactured by AB Stolfabriks. Yngve Ekström was one of Sweden's most prominent furniture designers.
Oak
Rare Pair of Spindle Back “Arka” Lounge Chairs by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Uncommon pair of chairs designed by Yngve Ekström. Chairs feature solid oak construction and spindled backs. Chairs have worn exceptionally well over the years and the natural patina...
Oak
Wooden Easy Chair "Arka" by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Berlin, DE
Fantastic easy chair by Yngve Ekström, model "Arka", manufactured by Stolab in Sweden, 1950s.
Wood, Oak
Sold
H 25.6 in W 27.96 in D 22.45 in
Mid-Century Modern Oak "Arka" Armchair by Yngve Ekström for Stolab, Sweden
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Arka armchair designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced by Stolab during the 1950s.
Oak
Sold
H 25.99 in W 29.53 in D 22.05 in
Set of Two Beautiful Sculptural Lounge chairs "Arka" designed by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful set of two sculptural lounge chairs model "Arka" designed by Yngve Ekström for Stolab, Sweden 1955.
Teak
Sold
H 26.38 in W 28.35 in D 20.87 in
White Mid-Century Modern Arka Chair by Yngve Ekström for Stolab, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström, Nässjö Stolfabrik 1
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful armchair by Yngve Ekström for Stolefabrik AB Sweden. The 'Arka' chair is a simple yet refined design.
Beech, Bentwood
Sold
H 25.99 in W 28.35 in D 21.66 in
Pair of Swedish Arka Chairs in Solid Oak by Yngve Ekström for Stolfabriks AB
By Yngve Ekström, Stolfabriks Ab, Smålandsstenar
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Pair of Arka chairs designed in 1955 by Yngve Ekström. Manufactured by Stolfabriks AB Smålandsstenar (Stolab).
Oak
Pair of Vintage Yngve Ekström Arka Chairs, Sweden
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A lovely painted white pair of vintage Yngve Ekström Arka chairs produced by Stolab, Sweden.
Paint, Wood
Sold
H 25.6 in W 28.35 in D 25.6 in
Yngve Ekström Arka Oak Lounge Chair by AB Stolfabriks, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström, Stolfabriks Ab, Smålandsstenar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Yngve Ekström Arka oak lounge chair by AB Stolfabriks, Sweden, 1950s Beautiful, sculptural lounge chair designed by Yngve Ekström.
Oak
Yngve Ekström Arka Lounge Chair Stolab Sweden 1955
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful sculptural lounge chair model Arka designed by Yngve Ekström for Stolab, Sweden 1955.
Wood
Yngve Ekström Spindle Back Solid Birch Wide Fan Back Arka Lounge Chair
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Yngve Ekström Arka lounge chair.
Birch
‘Arka’ Solid Wood Spindle Back Lounge Chair by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A mid century modern Yngve Ekström "Arka" lounge chair. Low wide profile.
Wood
Pair of White Yngve Ekström Arka's, Scandinavian Design
By Yngve Ekström
Located in LA Arnhem, NL
A pair of Scandinavian Arka chairs. The chairs have an elips form sitting. The legs can be screwed out, easy for transport.
Wood
Modernist Pair of 1950s Yngve Ekstrom Arka Chairs, Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Washington, DC
Modernist Pair of 1950s Yngve Ekstrom Lounge Chairs
Oak
Yngve Ekström Arka Maple Chair Swedish Mid-Century Modern Design
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Berlin, DE
A beautiful chair by Yngve Ekström, Sweden. This one-of-a-kind piece is made from high-quality maple. The design features a generously sized seat and stable back frame. The orig...
Maple
“Arka” Chairs by Yngve Ekström with Original Cushions
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Yngve Ekström “Arka” chairs with original upholstered cushions, Manufactured by Stolfabriks AB, Smålandsstenar and distributed by DUX.
Mid-Century Modern Arka Chairs by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Faarevejle, DK
Mid-Century Modern Arka chairs by Yngve Ekström for Stolab, 1950s.
Wood, Paint
Pair of Yngve Ekström Oak “Arka” Chairs for Stolab
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of oak “Arka” low captain’s chairs designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Stolab.
Oak
Solid Teakwood "Arka" Chair by Swedish Designer Yngve Ekström C. 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A stylish solid teakwood "Arka" lounge chair by Swedish furniture designer Yngve Ekstro¨m from the 1950s. The chair has a bentwood rail and delicately turned spindles that end on an...
Teak
A pair Arka Chairs by Yngve Ekström, Sweden
By Yngve Ekström, Stolfabriks Ab, Smålandsstenar
Located in Frankfurt / Dreieich, DE
A Pair beautiful Arka Chairs by Yngve Ekström. Oak and Teakwood, ca. 1955.
Teak, Oak
Sold
H 26.78 in W 24.81 in D 18.12 in
Vintage 1950's "Arka" Chair designed by Yngve Ekström for Stolab.
By Stolab, Yngve Ekström
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage 1950's "Arka" Chair designed by Yngve Ekström for Stolab.
Pair of Yngve Ekström Oak “Arka” Chairs for Stolab **SATURDAY SALE
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of oak “Arka” low captain’s chairs designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Stolab.
Oak
Oak & Teak "Arka" Lounge Chair by Yngve Ekström
Located in Cambridge, MA
An "Arka" lounge chair designed by Yngve Ekström constructed of oak and teak, with a wide, curved seat and low stick-back.
Oak, Teak
Modern PP130 Teak Circle Chair, Hans J. Wagner, PP Møbler
By PP Møbler, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Miami, FL
Offered is a modern copy of the iconic PP130 Circle Chair that was designed by Hans J. Wegner for PP Møbler. Created in bleached teak, this modern Circle Chair is both stylish and co...
Metal
$7,312 / set
H 33.86 in W 22.84 in D 25.99 in
1950s Pair of Frits Henningsen Armchairs in Birch Wood, Denmark
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - Sturdy and stable - Armrests dimensions: 64.5cm.
Wood, Birch
$62,841 / set
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 19.69 in
Pair of Swedish Wooden Lovö Armchairs in Pine by Axel Einar Hjorth for NK 1930s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare pair of Swedish wooden low back armchairs in stained pine model "Lovö" by Axel Einar Hjorth for Nordiska Kompaniet Stockholm in Sweden, 1930s. In good original condition an...
Iron
$799
H 31.7 in W 15.36 in D 15.36 in
Göran Malmvall pine chair 510 by Karl Andersson & Söner, Sweden, 1940s
By Goran Malmvall
Located in Forserum, SE
Swedish side chair, Model 510, designed by Göran Malmvall for the manufacturer Karl Andersson & Söner, Huskvarna. Originating from the late 1940s, it is a late example of the "sports...
Pine
$6,512 / set
H 30.32 in W 24.81 in D 26.78 in
Henning Kjaernulf Oak Kurul Armchairs for EG Kvalitetsmøbel, Denmark, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
A pair of iconic chairs by Danish designer Henning Kjærnulf, often called the “kurulstol” or kurul chair. The Curule seat is a foldable and portable chair with curved legs, the roots...
Sheepskin, Oak
$5,135
H 39.38 in W 29.93 in D 29.93 in
Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern White Teak Armchair from Bröderna Andersson
By Bröderna Anderssons 1
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This high modernist armchair was made by the Swedish manufacturer Bröderna Anderssons during the 1960s. The armchair has a rare form with arounded frame made of teak wood. The armres...
Textile, Teak
"Lena" Armchair Chair by Sven-Erik Fryklund Sweden c. 1950s
By Sven Erik Fryklund
Located in Oakland, CA
All original condition armchair by Swedish designer Sven-Erik Fryklund for Hagafors Stolfabrik, Sweden c. 1950s. With its wonderful egonomic design and constructed of birch that has ...
Birch
Easy Chair by Karl-Erik Ekselius, Sweden, 1960s
By Karl-Erik Ekselius, JOC Mobler Vetlanda
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare model. Designed by Karl-Erik Ekselius, produced by JOC in Vetlanda, Sweden, 1960s. Solid oak frame and newly upholstered cushions in Hallingdal wool fabric from Kvadrat. Set o...
Oak
Oak Armchair by A. Hovmand Olsen for A.R. Klingeberg & Søn, 1950s
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in New York, NY
Oak Side Chair by A. Hovmand Olsen for A.R. Klingeberg & Søn, 1950s. Reupholstered in an olive mohair.
Mohair, Oak
$4,855 / set
H 26.78 in W 28.35 in D 29.53 in
Danish Pair of Lounge Chairs in Oak by Niels Koefoed, 1960s
By Niels Koefoed
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Beautiful pair of easy chairs designed by Niels Koefoed around 1960. Very nice sculptural frames in solid oak with a nice patina thanks to age and use. Newly upholstered cushions wit...
Fabric, Oak
The Round Chair by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen, 1949
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak 'Round' chair with masterfully sculpted backrest and arms floating atop tapered dowel legs having a caned seat. This sublime chair became known as 'The Chair'.
Teak, Cane
Borge Mogensen J39 Dining Chair, White Lacquer
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Berkeley, CA
J39, designed by Børge Mogensen in 1947. This versatile masterpiece is crafted from solid wood and features a handwoven seat in natural paper cord.
Oak
$5,830
H 33.86 in W 24.61 in D 26.38 in
Model "1755" Chair by Ole Wanscher for Fritz Hansen, Denmark ca 1940s
By Fritz Hansen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Utrecht, NL
Ole Wanscher was one of the leading figures of 20th century Danish design. Trained as an architect and later a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Wanscher’s work is ...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,195
H 33.5 in W 23 in D 21 in
Modern Windsor Chair by Yngve Ekström, Solid Oak, Scandinavian Design
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Southampton, NJ
A modern interpretation of the Classic Windsor chair form, in solid Oak, made in Sweden. Very clean, original condition newly upholstered with proportions that work well in a variety...
Upholstery, Oak
$17,900 / set
H 29.5 in W 28.25 in D 31 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Armchairs by Kai Kristiansen, 1950
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Danish pair of open armchairs made of hand crafted polished Teakwood, designed by Kai Kristiansen in good condition. The back rest of the Scandinavian lo...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Teak
Early 1950s Danish Pair of Easychairs in Oak and Teak
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Early danish pair of easychairs in oak and teak armrests. This could be the predecessor of Magnus Olesen's model 107. But a design by Ib Kofod-Larsen would also be possible. Anyway, ...
Fabric, Oak, Teak
Vintage Yngve Ekström furniture embodies the beauty and simplicity of the Scandinavian modern style. The Swedish designer, architect and woodworker created clean-lined hardwood pieces with sophisticated details and flourishes. He was known for his comfortable lounge chair designs as well as chic cocktail tables and handsome highboard cabinets.
Ekström was born in 1913 in Småland, home to Sweden’s oldest furniture factory, Hagafors Stolfabrik. After his father died, he began working at the factory. In 1945, Ekström and his older brother, Jerker Ekström, opened ESE Möbler, a furniture company headquartered in their hometown. In 1952, they received acclaim for their innovative Thema chair. The laminated veneer chair was packed flat for easy shipping so customers could assemble it at home. Ekström followed it with the 1955 Arka chair for the furniture manufacturer Stolab. A spindle backrest and spacious curved seat gave the chair comfort and style.
Ekström’s most popular design was the 1956 Lamino chair. Still in production, the minimalist wooden-frame chair features a sinuous and inviting profile with a high backrest. Looking back at his well-loved design, Ekström said: “To have designed one good chair might not be a bad life’s work.”
After Ekström’s brother left the company, he changed the name to Swedese. Ekström sold Swedese in 1974, but continued to design for it until he died in 1988. His furniture is in museum collections around the world, including the National Museum in Stockholm, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the Victoria & Albert museum in London. In 1999, Swedish design magazine Sköna Hems named the Lamino chair the “20th-Century’s Best Swedish Furniture Design.”
Swedese, which still occupies its original building in Småland, partnered with artist Kustaa Saksi in 2017 to update the iconic Lamino chair.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Yngve Ekström seating, tables, storage cabinets and more.
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.