Evoking rusticity and relaxation through simple and elegant designs, vintage Adirondack furniture originated in the Adirondack Mountains of northeastern New York. The most famous piece is the Adirondack chair, which dates to 1903.
With its ample armrests and sturdy but comfortable slanted seat, the reclined Adirondack chair was designed by Thomas Lee for his own country home. The postwar golden age of modern patio and garden furniture production — led by the likes of Brown Jordan, Knoll, Salterini and Woodard — was decades away at the time, and there were few pieces of furniture specifically created for outdoor use.
Lee, a Massachusetts-born Harvard graduate raised in a wealthy family, was no furniture designer. He merely needed a durable, rugged chair for afternoons in the sun while he was vacationing on Lake Champlain in Westport, New York, in the summer. The amateur woodworker used just one wooden plank cut into 11 segments that were jointed together for his now-legendary seat, which is said to have been made of hemlock, hickory or basswood.
The story of the Adirondack chair continues with Lee’s friend, carpenter Harry Bunnell, covertly patenting the chair and going on to produce it as the Westport Plank chair for a growing audience over the next two decades. Over a century later, the Adirondack chair has gone through several design evolutions while maintaining its popularity and basic form with slats of wood such as pine offering comfort both indoors and out.
The widespread demand for rustic Adirondack outdoor furniture was bolstered by the turn-of-the-century establishment of rural escapes to treat diseases such as tuberculosis. The low-slung Adirondack chair became common in these places of convalescence, allowing patients to recline and breathe in the country air. It also complemented the camp-style architecture that was prevalent in the Adirondacks for recreation as well as restoration, where rugged furniture with exposed wood and minimal carving filled interiors and wide porches.
Today, Adirondack chairs are made in a range of materials and can be found around the world, from ski resorts to lakeside piers, their durability and classic form making them an enduring favorite for spending time in nature.
Find vintage Adirondack chairs, benches, lounge chairs, decorative objects, folk art and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Late 19th Century Bronze George Washington Plaque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 19th century bronze beautiful patina George Washington hanging plaque of upper torso(Shoulders) and head.
Bronze
20thc Patinaed Bronze Mermaid Statue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20thc patinaed bronze mermaid statue. Amazing conditioning with wear to the base. the resting mermaid has an amazing greenish patina that has great age to it. In very good shape.
Bronze
Early 20Thc Original Hubley Bank Door Stop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20thc Hubley Boston Terrier dog door stop / bank.The paint is very good and fine condition.
Iron
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
Large Signed Farnsworth bronze Sculpture Of Sitting Southern Gentleman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Bronze southern Gentleman sculpture in original paint. This sculpture depicts that of a man smoking a cigar sitting on a high stool or bench with a cane in the other hand. Ther...
Bronze
Hand Carved and Painted Shore Bird
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This finely paint decorated and hand carved shore bird is on a piece of drift wood. The condition is very good .This bird is very finely crafted.
Wood
$1,276Sale Price|20% Off
Hand Carved Eagle By
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved eagle in fine condition and rare to find by Thomas Rhodes carver from Arizona.The shape & form is the best.
Wood
Jay Strongwater Limited Edition Enameled Peacock Figurine 250/250
Located in New York, NY
Jay Strongwater large limited edition enamel peacock figurine hand decorated and hand set Swarovski crystals. Limited edition no. 250/250. Overall excellent condition with normal wea...
Crystal, Enamel
Miniature Cast Iron Boston Terrier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fun miniature cast iron Boston Terrier is in original paint and in fine condition.Very rare to find these miniatures.
Iron
$540Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20thc Cast Mermaid Boot Scraper/Remover
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast Mermaid Boot Scraper/ Remover. Easy to handle the arms remove boots or can be used as a boot scraper. Great as a decorative piece or may be used as intended. Beautiful patina an...
Iron
Collection of Five Alabaster Peaches W / a 19th Century Wire Compote
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Collection of five pieces of alabaster peaches in a 19th century wire compote. The condition is very good. There are five peaches in the group.
Marble, Wire
Vintage Brass Starfish Sculpture set Natural Specimen Art, Korea 1960's
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Delightful set of 3, life size, solid brass starfish, made in Korea circa 1960's. Fantastic detailed castings. Each over 10-1/2" wide. Aged patina on brass. Could be used as tabletop...
Brass
1964 Miss Glendale Life Raft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 20Thc Original painted or decorated ring buoy / life saver for swimming pools or ocean life guards.This most unusual painted & decorated buoy is most unusual.The condition...
Canvas
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
19thc Monumental Cast Iron Garden Rooster
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic monumental cast iron rooster is very large and heavy. It was probably used in a store front as a trade sign or a garden element. The patina is amazing and in very good...
Iron
$396Sale Price|20% Off
Bulbous Vintage Turned Wood Bud Vase Studio Craft Woodworker Midcentury Vibe
By Rude Osolnik
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Beautiful form. Signed R.Carnes 98 Lysiton, possibly not very legible.
Wood
Artist Lawrence Argent (1957-2017) Life Size Bent Iron Rowing Oars Sculpture
Located in Las Vegas, NV
From artist Lawrence Argent, comes these solid iron castings of antique rowing oars with a bent twist. Created in 1994, untitled. These came directly fr...
Iron
20th Century Full Body Cow Door Stop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th century Full Body Cow Door Stop in original hand painted. Wonderful look. Very heavy.
Iron
Antique Bronze Elephant Kinetic Sculpture, Early 1900s, Decorative Art
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique Bronze Elephant Kinetic Sculpture from the early 1900s. The trunk moves when the tail is swung, Incredible patina.
Bronze
19th Century Original White Painted Large Iron Rooster
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century original white painted iron rooster garden ornament or could work as a large oversized door stop. Fantastic form and surface.
Iron
Iron Bear Coin Bank Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20thc Painted iron Coin bank. Wonderful age and patina to the body. Old brown paint. Iron mold has wear to bod y from age and use.
Iron
Early 20thc Brass Duck Ornament
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great bronze design standing duck ornament. This ornament has great color and patina from age. The surface has great textures.
Bronze
19th C Monumental Hand Carved & Painted Eagle Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Monumental Hand Carved & Painted Eagle Sculpture. It is possibly from a Federal or government building. It's a Architectural Folk Art Element. The Eagle is carved of wood and...
Wood
19th Century Iron Rooster with Fragments of Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century original painted surface with wear and nice aged worn patina.
Iron
20th C Cast Iron Cat Boot Scrape
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th C cast iron cat boot scrape.
Iron
$2,917Sale Price / set|25% Off
"Set of 5 Distressed Cypress Knee Sculptures, Organic Art, 1980"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 5 interesting sculptural cypress knees, organic art.
Cypress
Signed Farnsworth Bronze Sculpture of Sitting Southern Gentleman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Bronze southern Gentleman sculpture in original paint. This sculpture depicts that of a man smoking a cigar sitting on a high stool or bench with a cane in the other hand. Ther...
Bronze
$256Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Vintage Hand Carved Wooden Nut Cracker Bird Box
Located in Plainview, NY
A vintage wooden nut cracker bird box made of walnut from 1980s. Dimensions: 10.5" D x 5.75" W x 14" H.
Wood
19th Century English Mahogany SchoonerShip Model, Great Attention To Detail Rare
Located in Buchanan, MI
19th Century English Mahogany Schooner Ship Model, Great Attention To Detail. This came out of a very important collection.
Mahogany
Fine 19th Century English Mahogany Schooner Steam Boad Model in Custom Case Rare
Located in Buchanan, MI
Fine 19th century English mahogany schooner steam boad model in custom case. Great attention to detail. This came from a very prominent North Shore Estate. Would look great displayed...
Glass, Mahogany
Mexican Bronze Bust, circa 1920s
Located in Stamford, CT
A Bust of a young Mexican Man. Unmarked on marble base.
Bronze
Stately Taxidermy Reindeer Mount. Great Scale And Great Condition.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Stately Taxidermy Reindeer Mount.
Fur
An English Horn Chair and Ottoman 20th Century adorned with spurs. Height 43 x
Located in Buchanan, MI
An English Horn Chair and Ottoman Covered In Cowhide, Brass Head Trim. 20th Century adorned with spurs. Height 43 x width 29 x depth 35 inches. Can save shipping charges...
Horn