Seating
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Seating For Sale
Style: Empire
Style: Late Victorian
French Empire Style Mahogany Pink Chaise
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany chaise with bronze trim and large pink and gold cushion upholstery
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Side Chair
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany sleigh back side chair with bronze griffin legs and trim and red seat
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Dolphins' Heads Fauteuils, Manner of Bellangé
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Dolphins' Heads Fauteuils, Manner of Bellange
A pair of Empire walnut fauteuils or armchairs 'aux Dauphine'' (with dolphins' heads) in the manner o...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Settee 3-Seat Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Upholstered in Horsehair
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
This handsome settee is in rare original condition retaining all the original timber and horsehair stuffings. The form is bold and fluid and the carved ornament very well executed. T...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Ebonized Reading Chair on Castors, Late 19th Century
Located in Uppsala, SE
Diminutive antique reading chair with ebonized legs on castors, late 19th century. Either you sit on it like a normal chair our you can turn arou...
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Seating
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style 19th Century Painted Wood Marquise with Carved Palmettes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood marquise chair from the 19th century, with carved palmettes. Born in France during the politically dynamic 19th century, this French Empire style marquise features a rectangular upholstered back, accented with delicate palmette motifs. The seat is flanked with straight arms adorned with foliage, while the ensemble is raised on four legs, straight in the front and slightly out-curving in the back. Painted in a soft color, this French Empire style 19th century marquise...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
Matched Pair of French Empire Armchairs, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality near pair of French Mahogany Empire influenced armchairs. Each being upholstered in a classical damask patterned burgundy fabric, polished back rail, Dolphins carved t...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany round back dolphin arm chair with bronze trim and gold upholstery
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Bronze
Late Victorian Mahogany Wing Armchair with Carved Frame and Ceramic Castors
Located in Sofia, BG
Late 19th century Victorian mahogany wing armchair, inlaid with satinwood banding, the frame carved with leaves, on square tapering legs and ceramic castors.
Private collection of S...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Midcentury Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Bench with Ram Heads
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian midcentury Empire style painted bench with carved ram heads and new upholstery. This exquisite Italian painted bench features a nicely curved seat that has been recovered ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
French Empire Bergere
Located in Hudson, NY
A classical French chair from the early 19th century. The form is good and the wood selection is detailed and in great shape. The closed arm style makes the...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Victorian Style Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
49” Vintage Victorian style chair. Vintage tapestry style fabric and intricately detailed woodwork.
Category
Early 20th Century American Late Victorian Seating
Materials
Walnut
Suite of 8 Empire Style Chairs in Solid Cherrywood
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Suite of 8 empire style chairs in solid cherrywood,
velvet to change
small old restorations.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Cherry
Sofa Bench French Empire Mahogany Brass Brown France
Located in New York, NY
A rare sofa made in France during the Empire period, circa 1790-1810. Mahogany frame with gilded brass decor shaped as palm leaves. Tapered legs en...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Late 19th Century Franch Empire armchair , in Carved Solid Mahogany
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th century Franch Empire chair with armrests in carved solid mahogany , wax polished
Measure cm: H 92/42 x W 56 x D 50.
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Dutch Marquetry Empire Settee, circa 1825
Located in Miami, FL
Offers mahogany frame with inlays in satinwood of flowers and foliage along back crest, "S" scroll arms and slipper feet. Features upholstered seat, back and inside and outside arms....
Category
19th Century Dutch Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany, Kingwood, Satinwood, Upholstery, Twill, Cotton
Antique Pair of French Empire Neoclassical Louis XVI Harp Lyre Back Side Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of antique harp back side chairs with brass or bronze mounts in the French Empire / Louis XVI taste. Item features solid wood construction, harp back...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Scandinavian Empire Sofa in Mahogany with Ormolu and Upholstery, circa 1815
Located in Miami, FL
An elegant Empire Swedish Karl Johan sofa with graceful lines in mahogany with satinwood line inlay, ormolu and ebonized details. Offers scrolled arms and saber feet with upholstered...
Category
19th Century Danish Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Ormolu
1870 French Empire Marquetry Inlaid Suite Berger Armchairs & Settee Canape, Pair
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning French marquetry inlaid circa 1870 Empire style three piece suite with neoclassical detailing
A very rare and good looking set, th...
Category
1870s French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Silk, Hardwood
French Empire Gold Upholstered 5-Piece Living Room Set
Located in New York, NY
Set of 7 French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany living room / salon set with gilt swan head arms and gold upholstery (settee: 66¬Ω"w 24¬Ω"d 36¬Ω"h, 2 bergeres: 24¬Ω"w 23¬Ω"d 38"h, ...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Wing-Back Armchairs
Located in Troy, NY
Exceptional Pair of late Empire Period Chairs, of Comfortable Size and Flowing Movement of Form. The accentuated wings beautifully complementing th...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Brass
19th Century Empire Tub Armchair
Located in Belmont, MA
Unique Empire tub armchair, circa 1820, mahogany with finely carved details. Newly upholstered with beautiful crème colored fabric.
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Consulat Ebony-Inlaid Birchwood Armchairs Stamped Jacob Frères
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The curved pierced back with a palmette-inlaid shaped splat terminating in dolphin supports raised on an upholstered seat, on front carved joined hairy animal legs (pieds de bîches) and hoof feet and back sabre legs; stamped: JACOB FRERES RUE MESLEE under the front rail. For a similar dolphin support, see Madeleine Jarry and Pierre Devinois, Le Siège Français, pp. 267 and 271 illustration 264 for an armchair at the Musée Marmottan stamped G. Jacob and executed in 1792.
Provenance: Millicent Rogers
her son, Arturo Peralta Ramos II
Jacob Frères was the stamp used by brothers Georges II (1768-1803) and Francois-Honore Jacob (1770-1841) from 1796 to 1803. They were sons of Georges Jacob (1739-1814), arguably the best-known chair maker who worked for aristocracy and royalty during the reign of Louis XVI.
The Jacob Frères firm's most famous client was Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. She would have most likely seen the work of their father during the revolution in a progressive aristocrat's house. She used them to decorate various Imperial residences, such as the Tuileries palace, and remained a loyal customer, using them almost exclusively, until her death. When Georges II (the elder brother) died in 1803, Georges came out of retirement to help the remaining son, Francois-Honoré (who changed his named to Jacob Desmalter) from a new partnership called Jacob Desmalter Et Cie. (stamped Jacob D. R. Meslée, on two lines), which continued to be an influential supplier for the Imperial period and is credited with helping to define the Empire style as it is known today.
Millicent Rogers, born Mary Millicent Abigail Rogers, was a Standard Oil heiress, but she wasn’t a poor little rich girl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mid-19th Century Empire Venetian Sofa Attributed to Valentino Panciera Besarel
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Precious mid-19th century Venetian sofa attributable to Valentino Panciera Besarel in hand-carved walnut, restored and finished to wax. Coated with precious original Venetian brocade...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
French Empire Period Swans' Heads Stool
Located in London, GB
This beautiful antique stool is a classic example of Empire period design: with elegant curved armrests which are designed to look like swans' necks, the seat features skilfully-cast...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Swedish Regency Style Period Parcel Gilt Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Regency style armchair featuring a Fruitwood frame with hand-carved matte ebonized plume body details and traditional 22-karat gilded parcel gilt detail on stylized heron heads at arm fronts and legs. Mint restored with new Moss Green mohair upholstery. Available at 200 Lexington...
Category
19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of Late 19th Century Carved and Painted Wood Classical Style Open Armchairs
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of chairs Swedish or Scandinavian in manufacture were made circa 1880-1900. Of large-scale and finely carved they are in the Empire or Regency taste. Decorative elements in...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Wood
Swedish Late 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Stool
Located in Skanninge, SE
A very stylish and elegant 19th century model. Newly upholstered in cream white/yellow fabric. The mahogany frame is in a good unrestored condition. This stool/banquette is free stan...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Bronze
Pair of ormolu mounted and lacquered metal curule chairs in the Empire style
Located in London, GB
These beautiful, simple, and sophisticated, curule chairs were executed in the Empire style, combining the majesty of Roman rule with Napoleonic imperial France. Long a symbol of rule and power, curule chairs originally appeared in the Roman Republic, called sella curulis, seats reserved exclusively for those who held imperium, i.e. those who held positions of military or governmental command. Inherited by many subsequent civilisations, and a favourite of European kings wishing to frame their own authority within this Roman tradition, they feature heavily in Empire period France, holding a particular associated with Napoleon. These particular pieces are made of lacquered metal and are mounted with ormolu...
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
Pair of Russian Neoclassic Stools
Located in Westwood, NJ
Pair of Russian neoclassic mahogany and brass stools.
Category
19th Century Russian Empire Antique Seating
Pair of Empire Mahogany Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of Empire mahogany fauteuils or armchair 'a la Reine' in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter/ François-Honoré-Georges Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841, son of Jacob Desmalter), newly upho...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century H.C. Andersen Rocking Chair in Polished Cast Iron
Located in Kastrup, DK
H.C. Andersen rocking chair in polished cast iron, Denmark, 1850-1870.
Reupholstered with fabric from Ralph Lauren.
(Called H.C. Andersen rocking chair, because he is depicted in one).
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Late Victorian Antique Seating
Materials
Metal
French 1860s Empire Style Walnut Bench with Out-Scrolled Sides and Swan Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut bench from the mid-19th century, with carved swan heads and new upholstery. This French walnut backless bench features an exquisite silhouette, flanked w...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Set of Three Antique Empire Side Chairs, 19th Century, Biedermeier
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of three antique Empire side chairs, 19th century, Biedermeier.
Category
19th Century Empire Antique Seating
French Empire Period Mahogany Armchair with Swans' Heads
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire period mahogany fauteuil or armchair with saber legs and swans' heads on the arms. The chair is upholstered neoclassical-patterned cut mohair fabric.
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mohair, Mahogany
Armchairs Pair of Swedish Mahogany Brown Gilded Details Green and White Seat
Located in New York, NY
A pair of armchairs made in Sweden during the Karl Johan period 1810-1840. Frame made in mahogany with gilded details. Upholstered in a durable outdoor Rogers and Goffigon stripe.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Eagle Armchairs in Yellow Taffeta
Located in New York, NY
Pair eagle armchairs in yellow taffeta. Italian Empire painted and parcel-gilt carved armchairs with finely carved eagle arm terminals and yellow Italia...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Late 19th Century Empire Style Armchairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of late 19th century lounge chairs are in the Empire style. The curved arms end with carved acanthus leaves. The seats and borderin...
Category
Late 19th Century American Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood
French Empire Style '19th Century' Mahogany Sleigh Design Recamier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany sleigh design Récamier with bronze doré trim and red damask upholstery.
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Bronze
High Back French Empire Neoclassical Style Marble Fabric Wing Back Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage high back French Empire / neoclassical style lounge chair with marbled fabric. Item features a tall solid carved wood frame, unique upholstered wings, shapely legs, cream dis...
Category
1950s American Empire Vintage Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Empire Style Mahogany Library Tub Fauteuil de Bureau or Desk Chair
Located in Nashville, TN
Of generous proportions and presence . The front mounted with well cast bronze mounts (of some size and weight ). The top with French interpretations of the Greek Caryatids (very att...
Category
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Wood
Mahogany Settee Made in France, Circa 1780
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Settee has a mahogany frame with tapered hand front legs with hand-carved decorative flowers on each leg and the seat back. The cushion is upholstered in a modern striped fabric.
Category
1790s French Empire Antique Seating
2 French Empire Mahogany Loveseats
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Cent) Egyptian Neo-classic design mahogany loveseats with filigree back and yellow upholstery
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Empire / Biedermeier Armchair, circa 1810, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany solid wood, partially veneered. Semicircular backrests, Bergeren-form.
Restored and reupholstered with original Wollrips fabric covered.
(C-147).
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Leather Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany and bronze trimmed Armchairs with black leather seat and back.
Category
19th Century Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Swedish Empire Green Stripe Club Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Swedish Empire-style (20th Century) gilt club chairs with green lacquered claw feet and stripe upholstery (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Seating
Pair of Swedish Empire Armchairs
Located in Miami, FL
In mahogany and on carved feet with brass castors, the scroll arms with carved anthemion leaves at the top. In very good condition.
Category
1860s Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of Four 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four French Empire fauteuils-armchairs in carved and veneered mahogany with beautiful carving and scale.
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Neoclassical Empire Early 19th Century Mahogany Desk Armchair
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual North European mahogany desk armchair with original brass castors. Fully carved armrests with eagle heads, the design probably by a designer from Berlin or Copenhagen (e.g...
Category
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Brass
Empire Solid Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Empire mahogany desk chair or fauteuil de bureau.
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Classical Mahogany Ottoman of Boston Origin
Located in Milford, NH
A large Boston Classical or Empire mahogany ottoman from the 19th century. Freshly appointed with silk upholstery. Mahogany veneers with "s" scrolled ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Set of Four French Empire Fauteuil Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Frères
Located in New York, NY
These four early 19th-century Empire fauteuil armchairs, in the manner of the Jacob Frères cabinetmaking firm of the late 18th century, each feature a distinctive pediment-shaped cre...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Seating
French 19th Century Empire Three-Piece Seating Group
Located in New York, NY
Three-piece group of empire seating
includes canape and two bergeres
canape - H 36 in; bergere - H 35-1/4.
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
19th Century French Empire Style Canapé
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
An elegant carved wood upholstered canapé.
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Period Empire Giltwood Armchair
Located in New Orleans, LA
Empire Carved and Gilded Armchair
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Giltwood
French Empire Monumental Walnut and Velvet Throne Chair
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) monumental walnut throne chair with carved figure with wreath and red cut velvet upholstery
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Walnut, Velvet
French Empire Style Chair by Frederick Victoria
Located in Stamford, CT
A French Empire style chair made by Frederick Victoria with ostrich leather seat.
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Continental Austrian Mahogany Recamier
Located in New York, NY
Continental Austrian Empire-style (Circa 1835) small mahogany recamier with bronze eagle trim and green upholstery
Category
19th Century Austrian Empire Antique Seating
Materials
Bronze
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.
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