Seating
1910s Indian Vintage Seating
Cotton
Early 20th Century Chippendale Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Bentwood
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Bentwood
1930s Czech Vintage Seating
Steel, Chrome
1930s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Velvet, Rosewood
Early 1900s Antique Seating
Giltwood
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Velvet
Early 20th Century Spanish Seating
Leather, Wood
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Velvet
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Seating
Wood, Hardwood, Boxwood, Fabric, Cotton, Yarn, Organic Material
1920s Italian Vintage Seating
Steel
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1920s Italian Vintage Seating
Iron
Early 20th Century Swedish Victorian Seating
Birch
1920s Dutch Modern Vintage Seating
Oak
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Seating
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Seating
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century English Seating
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Seating
Cane, Bentwood
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Seating
Metal
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Seating
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century Queen Anne Seating
Leather, Mahogany
1930s Czech Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Steel, Chrome
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Wrought Iron
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Birch
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Seating
Bentwood
Early 20th Century English Seating
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Walnut
1930s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Papercord, Wood
Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Seating
Cane, Bentwood
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Seating
Linen, Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Seating
Beech, Bentwood
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Leather, Beech
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Seating
Fabric, Walnut
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Bentwood
1920s Argentine Art Deco Vintage Seating
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Seating
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Beech
Early 20th Century Anglo-Indian Seating
Sandalwood
1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bentwood
1930s Italian Arts and Crafts Vintage Seating
Fabric, Cherry, Bentwood
Early 20th Century British Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century Syrian Islamic Seating
Satinwood
1930s European Louis XVI Vintage Seating
Silk, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century American George III Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Arts and Crafts Seating
Linen, Upholstery, Oak
1930s Hungarian Art Deco Vintage Seating
Wood, Velvet
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Seating
Leather, Oak
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Seating
Beech, Walnut
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Beech, Lacquer, Walnut
1930s French Vintage Seating
Steel
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Seating
Fabric
1930s German Industrial Vintage Seating
Metal
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Seating
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century Art Deco Seating
Upholstery, Lacquer
Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Seating
Oak
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Seating
Wood, Beech, Lacquer
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
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
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.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.