Seating
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Seating
Wood, Elm
1990s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Seating
Wood
1920s French Provincial Vintage Seating
Elm
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Chrome
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Rattan
Early 20th Century Austrian Seating
Bentwood
Early 20th Century English Regency Seating
Brass
Early 20th Century American Victorian Seating
Iron
1990s Italian Post-Modern Seating
Steel
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Metal
1990s Danish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Oak
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Rattan, Hardwood
1990s Italian Post-Modern Seating
Velvet
1990s French Modern Seating
Velvet
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Seating
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Seating
Other
Early 1900s English Hepplewhite Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Seating
Wood, Elm
1990s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Bentwood
Early 20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Seating
Fabric, Wood, Cherry
1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Metal
Early 1900s English Antique Seating
Fabric, Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Seating
Fabric, Walnut
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Rosewood
Early 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Beech
Early 20th Century Anglo-Indian Seating
Upholstery, Teak
1990s Mission Seating
Cherry
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Seating
Beech, Bentwood
1920s American Louis XVI Vintage Seating
Cane, Wood
Early 1900s Scottish Late Victorian Antique Seating
Leather, Oak
1990s Modern Seating
Mohair
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Seating
Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
1990s American Regency Seating
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Wood
1990s American Post-Modern Seating
Chrome
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Seating
Iron
Early 20th Century Spanish Seating
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century English Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century English Seating
Upholstery, Oak
1990s Seating
Chrome
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Brass
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Seating
Cane, Beech
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Seating
Oak, Rush
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Upholstery, Beech, Walnut
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Seating
Macassar
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Seating
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Seating
Fabric, Oak
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Seating
Upholstery, Velvet, Ash
Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Seating
Fabric, Giltwood
Early 20th Century German Bauhaus Seating
Chrome, Steel
1920s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Seating
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Seating
Leather
1920s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1990s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Seating
Fabric
1990s Italian Modern 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.
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.