Seating
19th Century Italian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Cane, Lacquer, Bentwood
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Bouclé
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Wood, Upholstery
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Seating
Rosewood
Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Seating
Oak
Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Seating
Rattan, Elm
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Silk, Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Maple
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Seating
Mahogany
19th Century Spanish Aesthetic Movement Antique Seating
Oak
19th Century Louis XV Antique Seating
Wood
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
19th Century French Antique Seating
Oak
19th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Seating
Rope, Wood
1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Seating
Natural Fiber, Cherry
19th Century Antique Seating
Cane, Wood
1980s French Vintage Seating
Metal
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1980s Canadian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Faux Leather
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Seating
Upholstery
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Walnut
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Seating
Fabric, Beech
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1980s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Oak
19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Seating
Wood
1860s Danish Queen Anne Antique Seating
Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Oak
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1980s French Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1820s Danish Biedermeier Antique Seating
Suede, Beech, Mahogany
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Brass, Stainless Steel, Chrome
19th Century Antique Seating
Wood
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Hardwood
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum
1880s English Antique Seating
Rush, Fruitwood
19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Rococo Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
1980s Spanish Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Rosewood, Giltwood
1980s Canadian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Seating
Upholstery
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Seating
Linen, Wood, Paint
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1980s Danish Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1980s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Trimming
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Leather, Oak
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Seating
Linen, Wood, Paint
1890s English Victorian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Hardwood
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Seating
Elm, Yew
1890s Italian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Seating
Mother-of-Pearl, Bamboo, Rattan
Late 19th Century British Chesterfield Antique Seating
Leather
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Steel
1980s European Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
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.