Seating
1950s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Leather, Poplar
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Jugendstil Seating
Oak
1920s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Velvet, Beech
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan
Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Oak, Fabric
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Seating
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Primitive Antique Seating
Wood
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Faux Bamboo
1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Seating
Beech
Late 19th Century German Jugendstil Antique Seating
Brass
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Bentwood
Early 1900s Czech Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Seating
Onyx, Brass
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Leather, Bentwood
1920s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Seating
Beech
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Brass
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Iron
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Seating
Suede, Beech
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Cane
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Cane, Bentwood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Seating
Cherry
Late 19th Century German Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Walnut, Leather
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Seating
Fruitwood, Cotton, Damask
1890s British Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Textile, Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Bronze
Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Velvet, Oak
2010s Spanish Jugendstil Seating
Wood
1820s American Primitive Antique Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Primitive Seating
Wood, Oak, Seagrass
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 1900s Spanish Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Bentwood, Braid
19th Century Austrian Primitive Antique Seating
Oak
Late 19th Century English Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Iron
1970s American Primitive Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood, Pine
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Seating
Wood
Early 1900s Czech Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood, Lacquer, Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood
1930s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Seating
Velvet, Beech
1850s Burmese Primitive Antique Seating
Wood
1930s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1930s Belgian Primitive Vintage Seating
Wood
2010s Spanish Jugendstil Seating
Oak
2010s Spanish Jugendstil Seating
Wood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Fabric, Beech
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Seating
Fabric, Walnut
Early 19th Century Hungarian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Straw, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Beech, Bentwood
Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Fabric, Beech
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Seating
Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1950s African Primitive Vintage Seating
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
1910s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Spanish Jugendstil Seating
Oak
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood
20th Century English Art Nouveau Seating
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.