Seating
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Bronze
1810s Dutch Empire Antique Seating
Satinwood, Upholstery, Mahogany, Tulipwood
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chippendale Seating
Faux Leather, PVC, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Beech
19th Century Italian Empire Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Bronze
1840s Danish Empire Antique Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
1970s North American Chinese Chippendale Vintage Seating
Metal
20th Century French Empire Seating
Beech
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Seating
Rosewood
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Giltwood, Ebony
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chinese Chippendale Seating
Wood
1840s Danish Empire Antique Seating
Fabric, Birch
Late 20th Century Empire Seating
Ultrasuede, Wicker, Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Ormolu
1940s Italian Empire Vintage Seating
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Faux Bamboo
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Austrian Empire Seating
Brass
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Seating
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Ormolu
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Seating
Ormolu
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Seating
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century American Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Seating
Nickel
20th Century French Empire Seating
Beech
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
1670s North American Chinese Chippendale Antique Seating
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chinese Chippendale Seating
Wood
19th Century Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century English Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Leather, Pine
1830s European Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Seating
Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
19th Century Chinese Chippendale Antique Seating
Mahogany
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Gold Leaf
1780s English Chinese Chippendale Antique Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century North American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Mahogany
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Gold Leaf
20th Century French Empire Seating
Beech
1820s French Empire Antique Seating
Cherry
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Seating
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Leather, Wood
19th Century European Empire Antique Seating
Upholstery, Ash
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.