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.
Pennsylvania 19Thc Mini Postage Stamp Crib Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early mid 19thc mini pieced postage stamp chain crib quilt from Pennsylvania has a amazing diamond border and in pristine condition. This crib quilt has been professionally fra...
Cotton, Plexiglass
Monumental 19th Century Brass School Dinner Bell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19th century brass bell was once used to either call students to class or family and workers to the dinner table. Due to the substantive density of the bell along with its origi...
Brass
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Amish Wool Pennsylvania Diamond in A Square Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early Amish 20thc diamond in a square quilt in wool.Amazing condition and colors from a 50 year collection never offered for sale before. The colors are most unusual for Lancaster Am...
Wool
Rustic Old Hickory Hat & Coat Tree
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky hand made old hickory hat & coat rack is in fine condition and very sturdy.It is a hand made at home rack.
Wood
19th Century Early Hand Carved Dough Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine early hand carved dough bowl was found in the mid west and is in worn and aged condition. The dry patina is fantastic and condition is...
Wood
19th C Original Paint Decorated Tall Blanket Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Original paint decorated design and wonderful undisturbed surface.This tall blanket chest is in fine condition and came from a private estate in Pennsylvania. This original pa...
Pine
Early 20thc Coffee Shop Cafe Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
E20thc Cafe Sign on a custom stand. Great patina that shows wear consistent with age and use. The custom stand is a sturdy base for this sign.
Sheet Metal
19th Century Firehouse Windsor Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of natural surface Firehouse Windsor chairs are in good sturdy condition. They are the look of the 18th century Windsor chair rail ch...
Wood
$1,650Sale Price|33% Off
Horse & Rider Hand Hooked Rug Mounted & Framed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine hand hooked horse & rider rug is in a black frame and mounted ready to hang in your home. It is wired for hanging and in pristine condition. Its been prof. cleaned.
Wool
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Sunshine Shadow Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Amish quilt from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in small one inch squares in wool and cotton. The piecework and quilting is very fine and g...
Wool
19thc Velvet Crazy Quilt from Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19thc velvet and embroidered quilt is in pristine condition. It was found in Pennsylvania.
Velvet
Antique Amish Quilt Holmes Co. Ohio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine Ohio Amish quilt is in pristine condition and is made from polished cotton. The fine piecework of the postage stamp nine patch corners and geometric pattern surround. It is...
Cotton
$950Sale Price|42% Off
Signed Oil Painting of Horses on Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This oil painting is signed in the lower left hand illegible signature. Very well done in great condition and retains the original frame.
19th Century Coffee Grinder
Located in Louisville, KY
This well-preserved piece of American Coffee history is a site to behold. With it's ornately decorated iron grinder sitting atop an oak base joined with beautiful small dovetail jo...
Wrought Iron
19thc Pennsylvania Log Cabin Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc fancy calico fabric log cabin quilt. This barn raising quilt is in fine condition.
Cotton
19thc Stag Trade Sign In Original Mustard Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing original mustard painted sheet iron stag /deer trade sign was found in Lancaster County,Pennsylvania.The condition is very good with minor paint loss on horns.This trad...
Iron
19th Century Decorated Salt Glaze 3 Gal Crock- Sipe & Sons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine blue decorated hand made pottery crock. It has the original double handles and in fine condition. Minor base chip (tiny). Fantastic glaze surface. This is a large three gallon...
Pottery
19Thc Ship Door Stop From New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Cast iron ship door stop with a fine patina.Fine condition as well.
Iron
Set of Six 19th C Hand Made Handled Buttocks Baskets
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of Six 19th C Hand Made Handled Butt Baskets Measurements of basket are as follows and are approximate - When looking at the 1st image from top left...
Hemp
Pair of Beautiful Early Geometric Navajo Pillows
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of beautiful early geometric Navajo pillows. Soft colors of ivory, taupe, beige and pink. Down and feather inserts. Zippered casing.
Wool
19th C Original Surface Eagle Weather Vane on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original gilded surface full body eagle weather vane with the best undisturbed surface.The base is custom made iron stand.This eagle is attr...
Copper, Iron
Cornucopia of Fruit Doorstop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Cornucopia of fruit doorstop with original paint.
Iron
Large Navajo Weaving -Room Size Rug
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine large Navajo Indian weaving rug is in pristine condition and has been professionally cleaned.This geometric eye dazzler has great colors & most unusual pattern.
Wool
$1,650Sale Price|24% Off
19th Century Hand-Crafted Postage Stamp Quilt, Adirondack Style, USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Postage stamp crib quilt on a stretcher. This is wired on top and the side.
Cotton
Cast cement mushrooms with frog yard art sculpture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Cast yard sculpture . Two mushrooms with frog at the base . as found in original patina of 50 plus years .
Cement
Hand Carved Cowboy One Piece of Wood
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Signed hand carved cowboy from a private folk art collection.The condition is very good.
Wood
$1,276Sale Price|20% Off
1930's Appliqué Eagle Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930's Appliqué eagle quilt From Pennsylvania. This Quilt is in great condition & has Fantastic Piecing & Quilting.
Cotton
20Thc Amish Plain Quilt from Ohio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20thc Amish Holmes County Ohio plain quilt with double inner borders. This quilt is very nicely quilted & pieced. The cotton sateen fabric stands out with the quilting, This qu...
Cotton
19thc Wool Flannel Log Cabin Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc wool & satin log cabin barn raising quilt and has a wool flannel backing. This quilt is in pristine condition.
Wool
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
$2,995Sale Price|22% Off
19thc Cast iron Bull Windmill Weight W/Custom Made Cast Iron Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fairbury iron works was founded in 1890 and manufactured its first windmill in 1899. In 1900 the company was renamed Fairbury Windmill Company. Company ceased production in 1961. ...
Iron
Early Pennsylvania Wool and Velvet One-Patch Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th century one-patch quilt from Pennsylvania. This fun and colorful quilt is made from wool and velvets. The back is a polished cotton and has cotton ties through out. This w...
Wool, Cotton, Velvet
Indian Made Pueblo Drum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fun smaller Navajo Indian -Pueblo drum from New Mexico is in fine as found condition.This drum is made from wood and buckskin .
Leather, Wood
19Thc Original Blue Painted Folky Bucket Bench / Shelf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc original powder blue painted surface shelving or farm bucket bench.This southern folk art shelf is in great sturdy condition.
Wood
19thc Rochester Iron Works Windmill Weight Horse
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc Rocherst NY Windmill weight in original white painted surface. the form is the very best and in great condition. wonderful old surface.
Iron
19th Century Original Painted Folky Textile and Country Store Rack
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This cool original painted 19th century country general store display rack is in wonderful sturdy condition. Could be used for hats, jeans or Ame...
Wood
19Thc Decorated Cowden & Wilcox 3 Gal. Crock with Cherries
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This three gallon stone ware crock with decorated cherries is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The maker is Cowden & Wilcox and is signed on the front abov...
Pottery
19th C Piggin or Measure Bucket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Piggin or measure bucket. The bucket has tight wood banding and is in great condition. Wear due to age. It would be great as an umbrella stand.
Wood
Navajo Ganado Geometric Indian Weaving
By Navajo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine Navajo geometric Ganado Indian weaving is in fine condition and has been professionally cleaned.Great area rug or for the wall.Amazing condition.
Wool
19th C Navajo Indian Weaving Storm Pattern Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C amazing Navajo Indian weaving bolster large pillow in the storm pattern. The backing is in homespun linen and down & feather fill.
Wool
19th Century Decorated Bird Stoneware Jug
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century decorated stoneware jug with a bird on the face. This is a New York State jug. The condition is very good.
Pottery
19Thc Wool Log Cabin Quilt From Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Wool log cabin quilt or barn raising in fine condition. The backing is in a early brown calico fabric.This was found in Lancaster County,Pennsylvania. The quilt dates from the ...
Wool
Lady Blessingtons Sailors Donation Momento Plaque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Repro trade sign from New England with a weather protector varnish for bad weather protection.Wired for hanging inside or outside.
Wood, Paint
Smith Stoneware Jar Crock from NY
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Salt glazed stone ware jar with "W Smith Stoneware New York" as a front stamp. Great size and great form. Gorgeous 7.25 tall.
Pottery
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
Amish Lancaster Co. , Pa. Bars Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing early Amish Lancaster County, Pennsylvania all wool bars quilt is in fine condition.Note the red & blue bars is quite rare and not typical Amish colors.Very fine and...
Wool
19thc Retablo Catholic Framed Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Retablo is a devotional painting, especially a small popular or folk art one using iconography derived from traditional Catholic church art. Depicting a Saint and a child painted o...
Tin
Amish Braided & Crochet Rug From Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These Amish Braided & crochet area rugs are very hard to find in good condition.They were made in Lancaster County,Pennsylvania in Amish country.Its a mix of wool and polished cotton.
Wool
19th Century Sponge Ware Butter Crock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century sponge ware butter crock in very good condition.
Pottery
19Thc Pewter Santa Clause Chocolate Mold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Large pewter Santa clause in fantastic condition.These are hard to find in the large size.
Pewter
19thc Original Blue Dated 1913 Cutting Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19thc Original blue painted round cutting board was signed and dated as it was given to someone in 1913 ! It is in very good condition and painted on the front and unpainted on ...
Wood
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
19thc Wool Log Cabin from Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing all wool challis straight furlows pattern log cabin quilt from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is in pristine condition. The striped border is a fantastic finish to compl...
Wool
19th Century Native American Corn Husk Plateau Bag
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This very fine exceptional early 19th century native American Indian corn husk plateau bag. Fine condition with a fantastic patch repair on one side.
Wool
Mexican Red Serape Bolster Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vibrant red ground Mexican or American Indian weaving has bold colors and in great condition. The backing is in a black cotton linen and down and feather fill.
Wool
Hand Painted Dog on Board Signed & Dated
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky & fun dog painting on board has a fold in stand on the reverse side. It is also signed by the artist D.Buttler & dated 1989. Fantastic folky large dog sign.
Wood
19Thc Original Robin Egg Blue Hanging Shelf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This original painted robin egg blue painted hanging wall shelf.
Wood
Spanish hand painted Retablo Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Retablo is a devotional painting, especially a small popular or folk art one using iconography derived from traditional Catholic church art. Depicting a Saint and a child painted o...
Tin
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 20th Century Cast iron Door Stop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th century cast iron door stop of basket with assorted fruits. Great weight and great wear from age and use. Wonderful painted fruits. Great condition.
Iron
19th Century Decorated Salt Glaze Jug -Cowden & Wilcox
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19th century hand decorated or painted Cowden & Wilcox jug from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in fine condition. These decorated stoneware jugs are hard to find in such fine condition.
Pottery
19thc Original Salmon & Decorated Pennsylvania Blanket Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a amazing untouched 19thc original paint decorated blanket chest is a small scale size.Wonderful as a coffee table or end of a bed for quilts & blankets.The condition is very...
Pine