Seating
Early 20th Century Austrian Seating
Bentwood
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bouclé, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating
Chrome
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Seating
Wood
1930s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Beech
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Beech
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Seating
Velvet, Birch
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Seating
Cane, Bentwood
Late 20th Century German Modern Seating
Aluminum, Chrome
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Seating
Beech, Bentwood
20th Century American Bauhaus Seating
Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Early 2000s Unknown Bauhaus Seating
Steel
19th Century Polish Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Bentwood
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
1930s Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Steel, Chrome
20th Century Italian Bauhaus Seating
Steel, Chrome
1910s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Seating
Fabric, Bentwood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Bentwood
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Chrome
1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Rattan, Teak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Bauhaus Seating
Steel, Chrome
Early 1900s Antique Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Seating
Leather
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Chrome
1940s Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Cane, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bentwood, Plywood
1990s Austrian Post-Modern Seating
Wood, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Seating
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Seating
Leather
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal, Steel
1970s Austrian Space Age Vintage Seating
Metal, Chrome
2010s Italian Seating
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Seating
Leather
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Seating
Cane, Bentwood
1980s German Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Steel, Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Early 2000s Italian Bauhaus Seating
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Bentwood, Beech
1980s Italian Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Wood, Teak
1970s American Vintage Seating
Fabric, Elm
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1970s American Vintage Seating
Fabric, Elm
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wood, Bentwood, Cane
1930s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Beech
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century North American Bauhaus Seating
Chrome
Unique Chairs, Sofas and Other Seating for Sale on 1stDibs
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.