Seating
Mid-19th Century British Chinese Chippendale Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1890s Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Leather, Pine
Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art Seating
Rush, Paint, Giltwood, Wood
Late 19th Century Finnish Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine
Mid-20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Pine, Paint
1930s Swedish Folk Art Vintage Seating
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine, Paint
Late 19th Century Spanish Folk Art Antique Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Seating
Cowhide, Wood
2010s French Folk Art Seating
Wood
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Fabric
Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine
Late 20th Century Danish Folk Art Seating
Lambskin, Wool, Oak
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Pine
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating
Hardwood, Pine
1990s Chinese Chippendale Seating
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
1960s French Folk Art Vintage Seating
Wood
1960s American Folk Art Vintage Seating
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Seating
Teak
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Seating
Oak
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Seating
Aluminum
1970s Spanish Folk Art Vintage Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Seating
Fabric, Wood
1930s German Folk Art Vintage Seating
Wood
20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Wood, Paint
1970s Philippine Chinese Chippendale Vintage Seating
Rattan, Reed
1930s Swedish Folk Art Vintage Seating
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine
1970s Spanish Folk Art Vintage Seating
Wood
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine
Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine
Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Wood
1970s Austrian Folk Art Vintage Seating
Rush, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Rattan, Upholstery, Wood, Cane
Late 18th Century Austrian Folk Art Antique Seating
Walnut
1770s English Chinese Chippendale Antique Seating
Suede, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine
Early 19th Century Danish Folk Art Antique Seating
Rope, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chippendale Seating
Mahogany, Bouclé
1950s Chinese Chinese Chippendale Vintage Seating
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Late 20th Century North American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Velvet, Bamboo, Paint
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century Hungarian Folk Art Antique Seating
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Folk Art Antique Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chippendale Seating
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo, Maple
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Seating
Elm
Early 19th Century Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine
Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Antique Seating
Elm
1850s Norwegian Folk Art Antique Seating
Seagrass, Wood
2010s American Folk Art Seating
Stone
Early 20th Century Finnish Folk Art Seating
Pine
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine
1970s Indian Folk Art Vintage Seating
Wood
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Glass
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.