Seating
1920s French French Provincial Vintage Seating
Rush, Oak
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Textile
1980s Japanese Minimalist Vintage Seating
Stainless Steel
1980s Danish Vintage Seating
Steel
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1980s Italian Memphis Group Vintage Seating
Steel
Early 20th Century Taisho Seating
Wood
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1980s Italian Vintage Seating
Metal
1910s Swedish Arts and Crafts Vintage Seating
Mohair, Oak
Early 1900s French Arts and Crafts Antique Seating
Straw, Wood
Early 1900s French Rustic Antique Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century German Jugendstil Seating
Oak, Lacquer, Paint
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Seating
Cane, Walnut
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Seating
Steel, Chrome
Early 20th Century French Seating
Pine
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Seating
Chrome, Steel
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1980s Vintage Seating
Bamboo, Wicker
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Seating
Metal
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Seating
Chrome, Steel
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Metal, Sheet Metal
1920s Czech Art Deco Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Beech, Walnut, Lacquer
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
Early 20th Century British Seating
Oak
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Wood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Seating
Leather, Birch
Early 20th Century American Regency Seating
Iron
1920s Czech Art Deco Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Beech, Walnut, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Unknown Rustic Seating
Rope, Maple
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Early 1900s Antique Seating
Wicker, Paint
1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Wood
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Plastic
1980s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Seating
Fabric, Oak
Early 1900s European Biedermeier Antique Seating
Birch
Early 20th Century French Industrial Seating
Metal
Early 1900s German Biedermeier Antique Seating
Birch
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Rattan
1980s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet
Early 1900s Antique Seating
Wicker
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Seating
Wood
Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Seating
Metal, Brass
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Bouclé
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1980s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric
Early 20th Century American Industrial Seating
Iron
1980s German Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Steel, Chrome
Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
1980s Unknown Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Early 20th Century American Seating
Wicker
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1980s Italian Empire Vintage Seating
Brass
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
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.