Seating
1970s German Folk Art Vintage Seating
Leather, Wool, Birch
Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Seating
Pewter
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood, Nutwood
19th Century French Rococo Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Early 1900s Spanish Baroque Antique Seating
Wrought Iron
1990s American Folk Art Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Seating
Upholstery, Poplar, Paint
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Seating
Upholstery, Birch
19th Century French Rococo Antique Seating
Wood
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Beech, Bentwood
1920s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Wicker, Rattan
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Seating
Velvet, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Metal
19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Seating
Leather, Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Seating
Pine
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating
Hardwood, Pine
Early 20th Century Danish Baroque Seating
Fabric, Oak
Mid-18th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Birch
1920s Czech Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Cane, Bentwood
1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood, Braid
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Art Nouveau Seating
Beech
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Seating
Pine, Paint
Late 19th Century Hungarian Baroque Antique Seating
Velvet, Wood
Late 18th Century Austrian Folk Art Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Seating
Upholstery, Pine, Paint
2010s Mexican Folk Art Seating
Seagrass
1980s Italian Baroque Vintage Seating
Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Seating
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Seating
Cane, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Seating
Hardwood, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Art Nouveau Seating
Beech
Late 20th Century Sahrawi Folk Art Seating
Fabric, Wood, Beads
Late 20th Century Unknown Baroque Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Seating
Fabric, Oak
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Seating
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Seating
Walnut
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Brass
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Seating
Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Seating
Lambskin, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Seating
Lambskin, Oak
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Seating
Oak
1880s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Rattan, Bentwood
1920s Czech Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Beech
2010s Mexican Folk Art Seating
Seagrass
1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Seating
Pearwood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Bentwood
20th Century Italian Baroque Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Seating
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Seating
Walnut
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Oak, Sycamore
Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Seating
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Art Nouveau Seating
Beech
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Seating
Walnut
1960s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Cane, Bentwood
1880s English Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Oak
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.