Seating
Late 19th Century English Antique Seating
Oak
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Canadian Victorian Seating
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Walnut
Mid-20th Century African Mid-Century Modern Seating
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Teak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wood, Mohair
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet, Walnut
1970s French Vintage Seating
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Seating
Cotton, Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Vintage Seating
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Seating
Metal
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Rosewood
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Nickel, Steel
Early 20th Century Asian Qing Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Seating
Metal
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Seating
Leather
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Seating
Mahogany, Faux Leather
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Leather, Oak
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Seating
Wood
20th Century Italian Art Deco Seating
Leather
Mid-20th Century English Chippendale Seating
Mahogany
1960s Danish Vintage Seating
Teak
Early 20th Century British Seating
Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Oak, Teak
1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Rosewood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Cane, Elm
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Oak, Teak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Cane, Rattan, Hardwood
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Jacaranda
Mid-20th Century British Chesterfield Seating
Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1930s North American Hepplewhite Vintage Seating
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Palisander
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Cotton, Linen, Wood, Elm
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Seating
Brass
20th Century English Edwardian Seating
Leather
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Bentwood, Leather
1790s Antique Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Teak
1880s English Antique Seating
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1650s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Seating
Brass
1860s Danish Queen Anne Antique Seating
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Seating
Cherry
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Birch, Teak
2010s English Modern Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Unique Chairs, Sofas and Other Seating for Sale 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.
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.