Seating
1940s American Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Fabric, Plywood
Early 20th Century German Bauhaus Seating
Chrome
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Beech, Bentwood
Late 19th Century Austrian Modern Antique Seating
Beech, Cane
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Seating
Beech, Leather, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Bentwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Early 2000s Croatian Futurist Seating
Bentwood
1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Steel
Early 2000s Croatian Futurist Seating
Bentwood
1930s German Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Chrome
1880s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Antique Seating
Bentwood, Beech
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Teak
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Cane, Bentwood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Birch, Upholstery, Bentwood
1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Brass
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome, Metal
1990s German Post-Modern Seating
Steel
1950s American Art Deco Vintage Seating
Cotton, Velvet
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Beech, Plywood
1930s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric
1950s French Modern Vintage Seating
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Teak
20th Century German Seating
Bentwood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Oak
1940s European Vintage Seating
1950s European Vintage Seating
Wood, PVC
1950s American Vintage Seating
Wood, Upholstery
19th Century French Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Seating
Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Cane, Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century European Seating
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Walnut
1910s Slovak Vienna Secession Vintage Seating
Beech, Bentwood
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Beech, Bentwood
1920s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Seating
Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Cane, Bentwood
1970s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Chrome
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Beech, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Seating
Wood, Walnut
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Seating
Wood
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Seating
Wood
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Seating
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1890s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Cane, Bentwood
1990s Austrian Post-Modern Seating
Metal
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Seating
Chrome
1980s German Post-Modern Vintage Seating
PVC, Ash, Beech
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Plastic, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Bentwood
Late 20th Century Unknown 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.