19th Century Ladderbacks
Antique Late 19th Century French Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Baroque Dining Room Chairs
Fruitwood
Antique Early 19th Century American Shaker Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century American George III Armchairs
Antique 19th Century American Shaker Side Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Country Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Rush, Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Armchairs
Rush, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Rush, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Side Chairs
Rush, Ash
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Armchairs
Straw, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Chairs
Ash, Elm
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Chairs
Ash, Elm
Antique 19th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Oak
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Hickory, Pine
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2010s Mexican Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
2010s Modern Tables
Hardwood, Oak
2010s American Modern Table Lamps
Steel, Brass, Silver Leaf
2010s African Arts and Crafts Wall Lights and Sconces
Clay, Earthenware
21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Night Stands
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
2010s Portuguese Armchairs
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Stools
Hardwood
20th Century French Louis XVI Benches
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Rush, Wood
Antique 1880s French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Upholstery, Beech
Antique Mid-19th Century Asian Tribal Persian Rugs
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Side Chairs
Wicker, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Chairs
Antique Late 19th Century European Country Benches
Wood, Ash
Antique Early 19th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Colonial Armchairs
Rush, Wood, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century American Country Dining Room Chairs
Maple
Antique 18th Century American American Colonial Armchairs
Rush, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 19th Century British Armchairs
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Antique Mid-19th Century Primitive Side Chairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Chairs
Antique Early 19th Century American American Colonial Side Chairs
Rush, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Rustic Chairs
Wood, Rush
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Armchairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Eastlake Dining Room Chairs
Walnut, Fabric, Cane
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Armchairs
Elm, Leather
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Antique 19th Century American Armchairs
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Oak
Antique 19th Century American Armchairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Antique 19th Century American Painted Furniture
Pine
Vintage 1960s Estonian Chairs
Bentwood
Antique 19th Century American Armchairs
Antique 19th Century American Side Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Side Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Shaker Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Side Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 19th Century British Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century American Shaker Side Chairs
Maple
Antique Late 19th Century American Shaker Rocking Chairs
Fabric, Maple
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Wood, Pine
Antique 19th Century American Armchairs
Pine
Antique 19th Century American Children's Furniture
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Chairs
Rush, Beech
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Pine
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Dining Room Chairs
Elm, Ash
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Rush, Walnut
Antique 1880s English Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Chaise Longues
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century Chairs
Cane, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Oak, Rush
Antique Late 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Oak, Rush
19th Century Ladderbacks For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are 19th Century Ladderbacks?
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.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.