Seating
1990s American Empire Seating
Metal
1870s French Empire Antique Seating
Silk, Hardwood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Silk, Mahogany
19th Century Austrian Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
20th Century French Empire Seating
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Seating
Nickel
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Bentwood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Silk, Wood, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Seating
Ormolu
Early 20th Century Hungarian Empire Seating
Pine
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Ormolu
1810s Danish Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany, Velvet, Wood, Fruitwood
1880s Czech Empire Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Seating
Metal, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Maple
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 1800s Austrian Empire Antique Seating
Wood, Giltwood
1840s Danish Empire Antique Seating
Fabric, Birch
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Empire Seating
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Pine
1870s French Empire Antique Seating
Silk, Walnut, Paint
Early 19th Century Austrian Empire Antique Seating
Textile, Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Seating
1890s Swedish Empire Antique Seating
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
1920s Polish Empire Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
1980s French Empire Vintage Seating
Leather, Birch
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Ormolu
Late 19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Seating
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century American Empire Seating
Mahogany
1790s French Empire Antique Seating
Early 2000s American Empire Seating
Upholstery, Maple
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Giltwood
1810s Swedish Empire Antique Seating
Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Velvet, Giltwood
1810s French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Hardwood
20th Century Empire Seating
Wood
Early 1900s French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Seating
Silk, Mahogany
Early 1900s French Empire Antique Seating
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century Belgian Empire Antique Seating
Bentwood
Early 1900s French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
1840s Danish Empire Antique Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Cherry
1870s French Empire Antique Seating
Silk, Walnut, Paint
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
1820s Danish Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Seating
Brass
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.