Seating
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Velvet, Birch
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Seating
Marble
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Jute, Birch
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Metal
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Teak
1960s German Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Beech
Mid-20th Century Macedonian Scandinavian Modern Seating
Cord, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Fabric, Wood
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Seating
Ash
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
19th Century English George III Antique Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Mohair, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric, Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Wool, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Seating
Walnut, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Wool, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
Late 20th Century American Georgian Seating
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1780s George III Antique Seating
Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Cane, Oak
2010s Brazilian Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Seating
Walnut
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Upholstery, Oak
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Beech
1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Suede, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Cotton, Oak
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Beech
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Wool, Oak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Birch
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Sheepskin, Beech
18th Century English George III Antique Seating
Other
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Seating
Hardwood, Walnut
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Mohair, Beech, Wool
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Seating
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Chrome
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Wool, Cotton, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Beech
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Cowhide, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Scandinavian Modern Seating
Beech
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Oak, Mohair, Velvet
2010s Brazilian Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Seating
Wood, Ash
Late 20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather, Bentwood
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Pine
1970s Singaporean Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Velvet, Birch
18th Century English Georgian Antique Seating
Textile, Natural Fiber, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Scandinavian Modern Seating
Beech
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
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
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Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
113 Chairs That Prove Danish Design Isn’t Limited to Denmark
In an innovative display, the Designmuseum Danmark is permanently exhibiting the 20th century's most iconic seats.
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