Seating
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Seating
Beech, Elm
Early 1900s Austrian Art Deco Antique Seating
Bentwood
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Seating
Textile, Walnut
Late 19th Century Hungarian Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine, Paint
Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Seating
Rush, Ash
Late 19th Century George II Antique Seating
Cane, Wood, Giltwood
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century French Gothic Antique Seating
Wood, Oak
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Seating
Zebra Hide, Wood
Late 19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Seating
Leather, Oak
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Seating
Pine
1870s American Renaissance Revival Antique Seating
Walnut
Mid-19th Century British Antique Seating
Wool, Oak
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Seating
Other
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Fabric, Maple, Paint
1860s German Biedermeier Antique Seating
Birch
19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Other
Early 19th Century American Sheraton Antique Seating
Rush, Maple
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Seating
Tapestry, Walnut
1820s Regency Antique Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 1900s German Arts and Crafts Antique Seating
Bentwood
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Seating
Cherry
1840s Italian Louis Philippe Antique Seating
Walnut
1840s Swiss Antique Seating
Wood
19th Century American Adirondack Antique Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Seating
Fabric, Wicker
Mid-19th Century Chinese Rustic Antique Seating
Elm
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Seating
Mahogany
19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Cane, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Seating
Iron
Early 1900s Austrian Art Deco Antique Seating
Bentwood
19th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Seating
Animal Skin, Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Seating
Oak
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Antique Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 19th Century American American Classical Antique Seating
Rush, Wood, Paint
1830s American Neoclassical Antique Seating
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
1880s French Louis XIII Antique Seating
Sheepskin, Upholstery, Oak
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Upholstery
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Seating
Cane, Wood
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Seating
Wood, Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Antique Seating
Cotton, Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Seating
Upholstery, Maple
Late 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Antique Seating
Wood
19th Century French Other Antique Seating
Fabric, Walnut
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Seating
Fabric, Walnut, Velvet, Upholstery
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut, Ebony
Late 19th Century Antique Seating
Mahogany
1890s Syrian Islamic Antique Seating
Bone, Shell, Ebony, Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Mid-Century Modern Antique Seating
Straw, Beech
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Seating
Pine
1820s Italian Charles X Antique Seating
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Seating
Pine
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Metal
Early 19th Century Portuguese Antique Seating
Chestnut, Walnut
Mid-19th Century American Neoclassical Antique Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
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.
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The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
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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.
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.