Seating
1880s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Beech
1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Beech, Bentwood
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Cord, Bentwood, Lacquer, Trimming
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
1960s Croatian Jugendstil Vintage Seating
Fabric, Beech
1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Seating
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Fabric, Bentwood
20th Century French Art Nouveau Seating
Textile, Mahogany
1920s Czech Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Seating
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Brass
1880s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Seating
Fabric, Beech
Early 20th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Seating
Wood, Oak
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood
1980s Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Cotton
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Reed, Beech
Early 20th Century American Vienna Secession Seating
Leather, Wood
2010s Spanish Jugendstil Seating
Oak
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Mahogany, Plywood, Lacquer, Beech
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Seating
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Fabric, Bentwood
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Fabric, Bentwood
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Seating
Fruitwood, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Wood, Bentwood
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Seating
Leather, Reed, Beech
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Seating
Bentwood
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Seating
Leather, Beech
1930s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Oak
1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Seating
Beech, Bentwood
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Bentwood, Beech, Rattan
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Seating
Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century Jugendstil Seating
Beech
1890s Swedish Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Rattan, Bentwood
Mid-19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Beech, Bentwood
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Faux Bamboo
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Brass
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Bentwood
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Fabric, Beech
1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Seating
Rattan
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood
1880s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Rattan, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Leather, Bentwood
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Seating
Beech, Bentwood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Fabric, Bentwood
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Seating
Wicker, Wood
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Beech
1920s French Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Faux Leather, Walnut
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Bentwood
Early 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Brass
1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Wool, Jute, Oak
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Beech, Bentwood, Plywood
1940s Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Walnut
15th Century and Earlier Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Seating
Brass, Iron
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Iron
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.