French Gondola Chairs
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Cotton, Walnut
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Chairs
Leather, Faux Leather, Beech
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Chairs
Burl
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Chairs
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1970s French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Rosewood
Antique 1880s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Silk, Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century French Directoire Chairs
Fabric, Cotton, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Walnut, Fabric
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X Side Chairs
Maple
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Club Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Faux Leather, Beech
Antique Mid-19th Century French Side Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1980s Dining Room Tables
Rattan, Rope, Hardwood, Paint
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks
Chrome
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X End Tables
Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Dining Room Sets
Metal
Antique 1780s French Prints
Wood, Paper
Antique 1830s American American Classical Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
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Metal
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Sideboards
Brass
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Birch
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Cherry
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Faux Leather, Oak
Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Center Tables
Wood
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Cabinets
Ebony
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Dining Room Chairs
Birch
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Chairs
Walnut
20th Century French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1940s European Art Deco Club Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Suede, Mahogany
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Beech, Poplar, Sycamore
Recent Sales
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Chairs
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
Wool, Walnut
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Abalone, Fabric, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Directoire Slipper Chairs
Wood, Paint, Upholstery
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Silk
Antique 19th Century French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Antique Mid-19th Century European Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
Antique 1890s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany, Velvet
Antique 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Mahogany
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Restauration Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Linen, Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1910s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Mahogany
Antique 1880s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Lounge Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1930s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Burlap, Mahogany
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1940s French Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany, Twill, Cotton
Early 20th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Cherry
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Tapestry, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Bergere Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1920s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Wood
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany, Velvet
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Palisander
Early 20th Century French Side Chairs
Mahogany, Velvet
Vintage 1950s French Slipper Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Club Chairs
Bamboo, Cane
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Bergere Chairs
Upholstery
20th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Dining Room Sets
Rosewood
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Walnut
Vintage 1950s English Regency Revival Dining Room Sets
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Wood
Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Sofas
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
French Gondola Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are French Gondola Chairs?
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.
- What are French chairs called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022French chairs are called bergère. Bergères have an upholstered back and armrests with wooden exposed framing. Bergère continues to be a popular style that adds an elegant touch to any room. You’ll find a selection of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a French-style chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023The term French-style chair usually refers to one of two styles of chairs. The first is an upholstered armchair with an exposed wood frame, and the other is a cane chair with loose seat cushions. Both types of French-style chairs are also called bergères. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of bergères from some of the world’s top boutiques.
- What is a French berère chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A French berère chair is a style of chair with an upholstered back and armrests. These French-style chairs are crafted to be wider than standard chairs with comfort in mind. You’ll find a variety of French berère chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023What French bistro chairs are made of varies. Introduced during the 19th century, many French bistro chairs feature a frame made of aluminum or wrought iron, while the seat cushions and backrests of these furnishings are frequently made of rattan. This type of chair became especially popular in the busy cafes of Paris during the 1920s. On 1stDibs, find a selection of bistro chairs.
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