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.
$2,450 / set
19thc Set of Three Yellow Ware Bowls
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century yellow ware mixing bowls. Wonderful color with a white stripe going across the top and each has a beautiful blue design within th...
Pottery
Collection of 18 Pieces of Alabaster Stone Fruit W/ Wood Bowl
By Bf Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This hand carved wood bowl contains 18 pieces of stone or alabaster fruit.The collection comes with the 19thc carved wood bowl.
Marble
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
19th Century Hand Carved Dough Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine hand carved dough bowl with double handles and in fine as found condition.There are no cracks or damages.
Wood
19thc Rounded Cheese Box With Handle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19Thc pantry box / cheese box with a handle in fine condition. This cheese box in great condition. This cheese container is from New England and is si...
Wood
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
20Thc Original Painted Rooster Doorstop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing original painted double rooster doorstop is in fine as found condition.Minor paint loss consistent with age and use.
Iron
19thc Original Blue/ Green Painted Handle Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Early original blue / green painted handle basket in pristine condition from a private folk art collection.This basket has a fine undisturbed surface and a large & unusual hand...
Wood
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
19th Century Pennsylvania Decorated Stone Ware Crock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine blue decorated salt glaze crock in fine condition. It has stripes and a blue 2 on the front face.
Pottery
Cast Iron Dog Nut Cracker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black painted cast iron dog nut cracker. The condition is very good and in working order.
Iron
Early Geometric Pima Indian Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine and very early Pima American Indian hand woven basket is in fine as found condition. This wonderful basket has a nice aged patina and has come from a private American Indian collection.
Hemp
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
1970's Brass Starfish Sculpture Life-Size
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Large life size brass starfish sculpture circa 1970's Korea. 10" wide/tall. Perfect as paperweight or display.
Brass
Monumental Sponge Ware Pottery Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This huge signed Roseville sponge ware pottery mixing bowl is in pristine condition. These large size bowls are super rare and in fine condition is even be...
Pottery
$1,595
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
19th Century Handmade Bird with Inlaid Turquoise and Coral Stones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This handmade brass bird has inlaid coral and turquoise with small flakes of amethyst and shell. The work details are really amazing. It stands on its own brass inlaid perch or stand.
Brass
19Thc Dough Bowl With Handles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Hand carved dough bowl with handles and found in New England. This bowl has an amazing patina and surface.
Wood
Papago Indian Basket W/ Handle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Papago Indian weaving basket with handle in great condition.Great addition to any collection.
Hemp
Shaker Pantry Box, 19th Century Small
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful fingers and lightly distressed with beautiful patinaed look.
Wood
Interesting Set of 5 Sculptural Cypress Knees, Organic Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 5 interesting sculptural cypress knees, organic art.
Cypress
19th Century Woven Buttocks Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine all original surface natural buttocks basket. Handwoven double butt hickory basket with twisted handle. The condition is very good.
Hickory
19Thc Original Red Painted Cutlery / Knife Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Hand crafted and painted cutlery box from Pennsylvania in original red painted surface. The condition is very good and has square nail construction.
Wood
Hand Carved Organic Log Form Dresser Box
Located in Ferndale, MI
Hand Carved Organic Log Form Dresser Box
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
Rare 19thc Miniature Yellow Ware Bowls
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of Three Miniature yellow ware bowls. Each bowl is hand made and hand painted. Great color. This set was meticulously created. Very hard to find....
Pottery
19Thc Original Red Painted Dough Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original Red painted dough bowl or trencher is in fine condition.This early trencher bowl was found in New England.
Wood
American Indian Coiled Hand Woven Lidded Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American Indian folk art Native American basket that is hand woven and coiled. It has been vegetable dyed and the basket lid is removable. The interior rein...
Hemp
20th C Large Hand Woven Papago Indian Tray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th C hand woven large Papago Indian tray. Great condition. Great look for Southwestern or cabin decor. Great as as a collection on a shelf or table.
Hemp, Natural Fiber
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
20th C Small Papago Lidded Basket with Handle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th C Small Papago Lidded Basket with Handle. Great condition.
Hemp, Natural Fiber
Vintage Rattan Caned Letter Holder Desk Organizer
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Rattan Caned Letter Holder or Desk Organizer. Three compartments on top and a large area on bottom. Good condition and sturdy, ready to use. 10.5" wide. Sticker on bottom mar...
Wicker, Cane, Rattan
19th Century Large Pantry Box with Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century pantry box with lid in good condition. Found in New England in good condition.
Wood
19thc Mocha Yellow Ware Seaweed Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare green yellow ware mocha seaweed bowl is in pristine condition. The sage green color is very good.
Pottery
30s Pima Geometric basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930s Pima Indian basket, American Indian basket in very good condition with Spiral geometric pattern. Wonderful dyed hemp great size.
Hemp
Papago Indian Woven Basket with Pictorial Motif
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand Made mid-century Papago basket with animal and people pictorail motif that show on the interior and exterior of the basket. The basket is mad from ...
Hemp
Large 20th Century Rustic Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This large rustic basket was found in the mid west and is in fine condition. It is unfinished or natural finish. The condition is very good.
Wood
19th C Decorated Salt Glazed Crock with Floral Motif
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C decorated salt glazed crock with floral motif.
Pottery
Rare Yellow Rookwood Violets Vase #6432
Located in Louisville, KY
This rare yellow Rookwood “Violets” vase is a beautiful specimen and in remarkable condition. Marked with the Rookwood stamp and mold #6432, this piece was made in 1942 and was part ...
Porcelain
$65Sale Price|86% Off
Rustic Adirondack Style Wood Basket or Planter
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Adirondack style handmade if chunky wood brunches basket of wood planter.
Wood
Massive 19th Century Oak Splint Wool Basket
Located in Chicago, IL
A massive late 19th century American oak splint basket with a double-banded rim and likely used for storing wool in a barn. We've been collecting basket for years, and we've never se...
Oak
Vintage Bamboo Letter Holder Desk Organizer
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Bamboo Letter Holder or Desk Organizer. Three compartments on top and a large area on bottom. Good condition and sturdy, ready to use. 11" wide
Bamboo
Collection of Five Miniature Hand Woven Baskets
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This collection of five 19thc early hiney baskets are in pristine condition.The tiny basket is only two x two in size. The others are 4 wide x 4 high and are in very good condition !...
Hemp
Collection of Four Papago American Indian Baskets
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine collection of Papago Indian baskets are in pristine condition and all have come from an Indian folk art collection. Sold as a collection of four. Small Basket - 5.5. x 2....
Hemp
19thc Hand Carved Dough Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This hand carved bowl was found in Canada and is in good condition with hand carved handles.Nice aged patina and no cracks.
Wood
American Indian Pictorial Papago Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This hand woven American Indian pictorial basket in fine condition.
Hemp
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
Hand Carved Sculpture of Bears
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These hand carved bears are amazing and in great condition. These bears are carved out of one piece of wood or one log. The bottom is a plank of wood. The large bear...
Wood
$695
Sea Grass Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This funky sea grass basket is handwoven and in good condition. It retains its old surface.
Wood
Early 20Thc Pima Large Indian Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine tight weave coil Pima Indian Basket is in pristine condition with a great zig zag geometric design. Comes to us from a amazing Indian collection.
Wood
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
$3,895 / set
19Thc Original Painted Dough Bowls in Blue & Red
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original painted hand carved dough bowls in amazing blue & red surface.These painted bowls came from a private collection. Both in very good condition. These bowls are in very ...
Wood
20th C Cast Iron Cat Boot Scrape
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th C cast iron cat boot scrape.
Iron
19Thc Burl Maple Compote W/ Collection of 25 Pcs.Mini of Stone Fruit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Burl tiger maple compote from New England in fine condition 7 filled with a 25 pieces collection of miniature stone fruit.Sold as a collection of stone fruit & compote together.
Marble
19thc Butter Crock With Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc Blue and white sponge butter crock. beautiful pattern on this sponge ware crock. Spells butter in front of the crock. The lids sits on top of the bowl. Wonderful age. butter...
Pottery
English Hand Made Wooden Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
English hand made wooden bowl. Inscribed on bottom of bowl, " Made in England".This hand crafted bowl feels like treen.
Wood
Collection of Five Papago Baskets
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Collection of 5 Hand made Papago baskets all in very good condition.These American Indian baskets are in mint condition. Large Flat Woven Tray - 10x12x1.75 Large Lided Basket - 6 x ...
Hemp
19thc Wire Vegetables Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic wire veggy basket could be for shopping at the farmers market or gathering vegetables in the fields. It is in great condition.
Metal
19Thc Original Mint Green Storage Basket w/ Handles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing original mint green 19Thc painted hand crafted basket is in good condition.( Minor breaks on bottom ) . Notice it has its original double handles on each side.
Wood