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.
Mid 19thc 3 Gallon Crock Jar From Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid 19thc 3 gallon crock jar made in Pennsylvania. Wonderful Plant pattern with great deep blue color. Great patina and wonderful size.
Pottery
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
Pair of Medici Vases, Hand Painted Porcelain, French, 19th Century
Located in Lantau, HK
A pair of elegant vases finely painted with flowers and butterflies in brilliant colors, richly gilded on handles and base. Shipping included Free and fast delivery door to door ...
Porcelain
$975
H 18.75 in Dm 12.5 in
19th C. Stoneware 6 Gallon Crock with Molded Side Handles & Cobalt Floral Decor
Located in Nantucket, MA
A substantial and well-proportioned 19th-century Canadian stoneware crock of 6-gallon capacity, marked for the prominent Montreal firm John L. Cassidy & Co. Measuring 18.75 inches high by 12.5 inches in diameter, it has a strong cylindrical form with molded side handles and a freehand cobalt blue floral motif that provides lively color and decorative character against the salt-glazed body. Impressed “John L Cassidy...
Ceramic
Pair of Late 19thC Onyx Torchere Columns
Located in Altrincham, GB
Pair of Late 19thC Onyx Neoclassical Columns with gilt brass Corinthian capital and base mounts, with square tops and bases - 36"h x 8" square
Onyx, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Portuguese Ceramic Stoneware Fermentation Jar/Crock
Located in High Point, NC
A wonderfully timeworn Portuguese glazed ceramic storage jar, this substantial vessel carries the quiet charm of a well-loved European farmhouse find. Its softly creamy glaze is beau...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Stoneware
Hand Carved Teak Vessel with Lid, Late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A small teak container or vessel, hand-carved off a single piece of teak wood. Indonesia, late 19th Century. Intricately decorated lid with carved conc...
Teak
$870
H 7.87 in W 5.11 in D 5.11 in
19th Century French Glazed Terracotta Pitcher Handmade & Hand-painted
Located in Miami, FL
19th century French glazed terracotta pitcher with beautifuls fleurs.
German Stoneware 5 Liter Crock, late 19th Century.
Located in Asaa, DK
German Stoneware 5 Liter Crock, late 19th Century. Large antique pickling jar from Germany late 19th or early 20th century. This traditional Westerwald...
Stoneware
Magnificent 19th-Century Imperial 4-Gallon Copper "Haystack" Measure
Located in Solebury, PA
This exceptional 19th-century Victorian English "haystack" measuring jug represents a premier example of historic British pub and marketplace history. Expertly hand-raised from heavy...
Copper
$2,882
H 21 in Dm 15 in
19thc British Blown Art Glass w/ Gilt Bronze Large Epergne by Stevens & Williams
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Grand 19thc British Stevens & Williams Gilt Bronze Blown Art Glass Blue Swirl Large Epergne. 6 vase elements. Striking blue art glass center, all Gilt bronze elements.
Art Glass
$1,010 / set
H 4.34 in W 1.97 in D 1.97 in
19th Century Hand-Painted Sèvres Style Porcelain Perfume Set
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
These are four hand-painted porcelain bottles with vibrant blue accents and floral decorations, likely from the 19th century. The set includes two larger bottles and two smaller ones...
Porcelain, Paint
19th Century Hand Painted / Gilt Porcelain Satsuma Pair Vase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Experience the enchantment of the 19th century with this exceptional pair of Hand-Painted and Gilt Porcelain Satsuma Vases. Meticulously crafted, these vases epitomize the artistic f...
Gold
German Stoneware 8 Liter Crock, late 19th Century.
Located in Asaa, DK
German Stoneware 8 Liter Crock, late 19th Century. Large antique pickling jar from Germany late 19th or early 20th century. This traditional Westerwald...
Stoneware
Very Large 19th Century Italian Maiolica Hand Painted Vase
By Cantagalli
Located in London, GB
A very large 19th century twin handled maiolica vase in the form of a wine krater. The exquisite hand painted decoration includes two central cartouches, one depicting Bacchus and Ar...
Pottery
German Stoneware 5 Liter Crock, late 19th Century.
Located in Asaa, DK
German Stoneware 5 Liter Crock, late 19th Century. Large antique pickling jar from Germany late 19th or early 20th century. This traditional Westerwald...
Stoneware
19th Century English Hand Painted Coalport Porcelain Oval Vase
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Elegant hand painted porcelain oval shape footed vase with floral decoration. The beaded gilt edge with all over floral hand painting with raised beading on the body. A few hand pain...
Porcelain
Karen Karnes Stoneware Art Pottery Covered Jar
Located in Astoria, NY
Karen Karnes (American,1925-2016) stoneware art pottery covered jar with grey-green and blue glaze, signed with impressed artist's monogram "KK" underside. Dealer: S138XX.
Stoneware
19th Century Decorated Salt Glaze Jug Signed Nichols Co.Williamsport, Pa.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century Decorated salt glaze jug signed Nichols & Co., Williamsport, Pa. circa 1870-1880. Minor chips on base with no cracks.
Pottery
Oriental Porcelain Covered Jar with French Bronze Mounted Dragon Handles
Located in New York, NY
An Oriental Porcelain Covered Jar with French Bronze Mounted Dragon Handles Stock Number: DA89