Seating
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Steel
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Seating
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Post-Modern Seating
Velvet, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Seating
Fabric
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Seating
Silk
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Seating
Metal
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bouclé, Hardwood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Wool, Cotton
1860s Antique Seating
Bronze, Iron
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Seating
Bronze
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Seating
Bamboo
1920s British Arts and Crafts Vintage Seating
Wood
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wool, Hardwood
1980s North American Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Upholstery
18th Century English Hepplewhite Antique Seating
Mahogany
1890s English Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Seating
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Beech
1930s Dutch Arts and Crafts Vintage Seating
Velvet, Oak
Early 20th Century Unknown Gothic Revival Seating
Fabric, Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Rosewood
Early 20th Century English Chippendale Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
Late 20th Century German Modern Seating
Aluminum, Chrome
Early 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Upholstery, Birch, Lacquer
Late 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 1900s German Antique Seating
Softwood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
1970s American Chinese Chippendale Vintage Seating
Wood, Faux Bamboo
Mid-19th Century Italian Charles X Antique Seating
Wood
1890s French Antique Seating
Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chestnut
1950s Italian Vintage Seating
Iron
Mid-20th Century Seating
Oak
20th Century French Louis XV Seating
Wood
Late 20th Century American Modern Seating
Bouclé
17th Century Spanish Rustic Antique Seating
Wood
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Tapestry, Giltwood
1940s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Seating
Beech
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Giltwood
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Steel
1960s Italian Vintage Seating
Silk, Wood
1960s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Cane, Teak
19th Century French Directoire Antique Seating
Wood
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bamboo
19th Century Italian Antique Seating
Gold Leaf
20th Century French Modern Seating
Metal, Chrome
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Seating
Beech, Plywood
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Elm
1970s Art Deco Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
1920s American American Craftsman Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Teak
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.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.