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.
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
20Thc Tin Coffee Canister
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20Thc Coffee tin canister in original painted labels & original condition.
Tin
$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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Papago Indian Basket, Monumental
Located in Los Angeles, CA
At tallest point the basket measure 8 inches and diameter measures 22 inches. The condition is very good and it is a very large size basket.
Seagrass
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
19th Century Monumental Bee Hive Butter Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century monumental original brown painted bee hive butter bowl in great condition. The one side is in a burl knot but in tack. Fantastic undisturbed s...
Wood
$776Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Hand-Crafted Fruitwood Bird Cage, Adirondack Style, Circa 1920
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/7346 - Old cage for bird, but with a bright little bird ! leaving the birds free! the little bird can light up.
Fruitwood
Vintage Bamboo & Rattan Letter Holder Desk Organizer 3 Piece Set
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Bamboo and rattan Letter Holder Desk Organizer 3 Piece Set. Set includes letter holder with three compartments on top and a large area on bottom, 11" wide. Pen and pencil cu...
Bamboo, Rattan
19th C Swing Handled Baskets from New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Smaller basket measures - 13 diameter x 9 high with handle up it measures 14 high. Larger basket measures - 15.5 diameter x 9.5 high and 17.5 high with handle up.
Natural Fiber
19Thc Original Orange Painted Gathering Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original Orange painted gathering basket from the south.The condition is very good.
Wood
Early 19Thc Original Blue Painted Mini -Dome Top Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original Blue painted table top dome top document box.The hardware is original and square nail construction.The condition is good with minor scratches.
Wood, Paint
19th Century Mocha Blue Seaweed Yellow Ware Mixing Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19th century mocha yellow ware mixing bowl with blue seaweed decoration. The condition is very good with lots of blue decorated seaweed pattern.
Pottery
19th Century Original Sage Green Painted Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rustic original sage green basket is in good condition. It is so rustic and has a fine aged patina surface.
Oak
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
19Thc Hand Carved Dough Bowl From New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine hand carved 19thc dough bowl was found in New England and is fine condition.Nice and sturdy with no cracks or damages.
Wood
19th Century Polychrome Painted Hand Carved Wood Canister
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century polychrome painted and hand carved wood canister. This was found in New England.
Wood
Early Papago Indian Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 20thc Papaggo Indian basket is in fine as found condition.The size is sweet and nice aged patina.
Hemp
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
19thC Large Mocha Green Seaweed Yellow Ware Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This large yellow ware mixing bowl is in great condition and has the green mocha seaweed markings.
Pottery
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
19th C Original Painted Bee Hive Butter Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This monument bee hive shaped 19th c butter bowl has amazing aged dirty mustard painted surface. This large bowl is in very good condition.It has some bark covered wood on the one si...
Wood
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
Black Forest Antler Desk Set
Located in Northport, MI
Sculptural folk art desk accessory crafted from naturally shed deer antlers, mounted on a layered antler base. The composition features an integrated letter or card holder formed fro...
Antler, Horn
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
American Indian Basket /Tray
By Shoshone Native American Indian
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This large American Indian bowl or tray form basket is in fine condition.Fantastic geometric design.
Hemp
Vintage Steambent Wood Cheese Storage Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
An antique Early American primitive bentwood pantry box (or dry grain measure box) featuring classic tacked lap-joint construction. It features traditional steam-bent oak wood faste...
Wood
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
$595 / set
Hubbly Setter Dod Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of iron hand painted 1930s Hubbley setter bookends. Wonderful patina and color to the pair. Each bookend has honest wear consistent of age and use. Sold as as pair.
Iron
19th Century Original Buttercup Painted Basket from New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century original creamy yellow painted gathering basket from New England. This fine folky basket has the original cream painted handle and yellow bottom.
Hickory
Sponge Ware Butter Crock 19thc Hand Made
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc hand made and hand painted butter crock with a lid. 19tthc blue and white sponge pattern with the word butter across the middle of the crock. Beautiful hand made pottery.
Pottery
$1,895 / set
Collection of 19th Century Baskets
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Collection of 19th century handmade baskets. All have amazing patina and are in excellent used condition. Baskets measures: Buttocks basket - 7.5 W x 7 D x 6 H Larges basket -...
Wood
19th C Brass Candlestick with Wick Cutter and Snuffer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Brass Candlestick with Wick Cutter and Snuffer
Copper
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
19Thc Large Hand Carved Trencher / Dough Bowl From N. E.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This large 19thc hand carved trencher was found in New England and is very solid and heavy. The condition is very good and sturdy with no cracks or damages.
Wood
20th C Medium Hand Woven Papago Indian Tray with Handles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Star Pattern 20th C medium hand woven Papago Indian tray with handles.
Hemp, Natural Fiber
19th Century Sponge Ware Pottery Bake Dishes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These two 19th century sponge bake dishes or serving crocks are in fine condition. Great colors. Larger bowl measures: 10.5 x 3.5 Smaller bowl meas...
Pottery
19th Century Handmade Double Handled Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine handmade and woven basket is in great condition. The patina is really great.
Wood
Shaker Style Oval Pantry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine pantry box is in a shaker style with a old natural surface. The condition is good with early copper nails.
Pine
19thc Soft Paste Lidded Jar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc Soft Paste Sponge Lidded Jar. The jar has great patina to the paint showing sings of age and use. This jar has small stain marks from the original baking process when made.
Pottery
19th Century Original Red Painted New England Trencher with Stone Apples
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic original red painted trencher hand carved bowl from New England in fine condition with a collection of ten pieces of stone fruit (apples). This collection is one packa...
Marble
Sewing Basket With Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing hand woven sewing basket is lined with satin or silk fabric.
Hemp
19thc Oval Oversized Pantry Box.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc Oval oversized pantry box. Original paint. Large size wooden pantry found in New England. Spacious old and primitive.
Wood
Early 20th Century Original Blue Painted Handled Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th century original blue painted handled basket in good condition. Found in the mid west.
Wood
19th Century Mocha Seaweed Yellow Ware Mixing Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century yellow ware bowl with seaweed design pattern in band. The condition is very good and no cracks or chips.
Pottery
20th C Small Papago Basket Lidded Jar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th C small Papago basket lidded jar. Great condition.
Hemp, Natural Fiber
$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
19thc New England Bucket With Original Lid From Maine
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc New England Bucket With Original Lid From Maine original paint and wonderful metal handle with wooden grip. Great color and great patina.
Wood
19th Century Large Mocha Yellow Ware Seaweed Decorated Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This large yellow ware seaweed blue decorated banded mocha bowl is in fantastic condition.
Pottery
19Thc Original Mustard Painted Barrel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky original mustard painted over grey barrel was found on a farm in Pennsylvania. The condition is very good and sturdy. The patina is amazing and it has a outdoor protective...
Oak
19Thc Hand Carved Large Wood Bowl / Tray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine early 19thc hand carved large serving bowl or tray is in fine condition.Looks like its 18thc New England. This bowl has such a fine aged patina.
Wood
$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
19th Century Yellow Ware in Seaweed Pattern Mixing Bowls, Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These two yellow ware seaweed pattern mixing bowls are in fine as found condition. There are no chips or cracks and have wonderful blue painted sea...
Pottery
Collection of Geometric Pima Indian Baskets -4
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This collection of Pima baskets are all from a private Indian collection. All in fine condition. Sold as a group of four baskets. Largest basket...
Hemp
20th C Papago Bowl Shaped Basket With Geometric Cross Pattern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th C Papago bowl shaped basket with geometric cross pattern.
Hemp, Natural Fiber