Wingback Chairs
20th Century English Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
1930s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
20th Century English Other Wingback Chairs
Brass
Early 20th Century English Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Brass
20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Beech
1960s Unknown Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Wingback Chairs
Linen, Wood, Birch
Early 2000s American Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
1960s Italian Vintage Wingback Chairs
Linen, Bamboo, Wicker
1750s English George II Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Brass
1750s English George III Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
2010s European Modern Wingback Chairs
Wood, Velvet
Early 20th Century Louis XVI Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
1990s American Post-Modern Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Upholstery
Late 20th Century Hepplewhite Wingback Chairs
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Oak
19th Century English William and Mary Antique Wingback Chairs
Linen, Oak
20th Century American George III Wingback Chairs
Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Teak
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1890s French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Beech
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
1920s Danish Art Deco Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Damask, Upholstery, Birch
20th Century French Louis XV Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century French French Provincial Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
20th Century American British Colonial Wingback Chairs
Wicker
20th Century Unknown Georgian Wingback Chairs
Brass
1920s English Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool
20th Century British Wingback Chairs
Leather
2010s Renaissance Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
1960s American Queen Anne Vintage Wingback Chairs
Damask, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Wingback Chairs
Wood, Foam, Upholstery
1770s French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Down
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
20th Century English Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
1950s Danish Country Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Oak
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Classical Roman Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather
1960s English Chesterfield Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
Early 2000s American Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Faux Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood, Zebra Hide
21st Century and Contemporary Classical Roman Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Mahogany
1960s American American Colonial Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Unknown Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Antique, New and Vintage Wingback Chairs
They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s.
Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace.
Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals, from mid-century modern spinoffs to playful contemporary adaptations (like the Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch, wherein the place of wings are furry ears — a cheeky send-up of Hans Wegner’s iconic mid-century Papa Bear chair).
Shop the most innovative versions of wingback chairs today on 1stDibs.
Read More
Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair Scrambled the Idea of What a Wingback Could Be
The curvaceous Egg was designed to cradle the body and offer privacy. Later, it became the seat of choice for bosses in movies, too.
23 Ways to Rethink the Classic Wingback Chair
We take a fresh look at a more than 300-year-old fixture in furniture design.