Seating
1820s British Regency Antique Seating
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Ash, Elm
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Seating
Walnut, Upholstery
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Silk, Upholstery, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Seating
Oak
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood, Paint
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Seating
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Seating
Velvet, Oak
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Oak
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Seating
Linen, Oak
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Seating
Brass
Mid-19th Century Baltic Empire Antique Seating
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century British Victorian Antique Seating
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Maple
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Leather
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Cotton, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
1850s French Mid-Century Modern Antique Seating
Pine
1880s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Cane, Walnut, Lacquer
19th Century Caribbean Anglo-Indian Antique Seating
Mahogany
1870s Gothic Revival Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Seating
Birch
1880s English Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Oak
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
1890s Indian British Colonial Antique Seating
Teak
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century English Antique Seating
Iron
Late 19th Century American American Empire Antique Seating
Velvet, Mahogany
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Leather, Mahogany
1890s Swiss Antique Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Antique Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Unknown Aesthetic Movement Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Seating
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis XIII Antique Seating
Fabric, Cotton, Oak
1840s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Seating
Birch
Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Seating
Walnut
1890s French Louis XV Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Seating
Pine
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Seating
Tapestry, Wood, Giltwood
Early 1800s Welsh Folk Art Antique Seating
Elm
19th Century Indian Antique Seating
Wood
Mid-19th Century American Classical Antique Seating
Upholstery, Chestnut, Mahogany
19th Century English George III Antique Seating
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Brass
Early 19th Century American Antique Seating
Brass
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Seating
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Wood
19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Seating
Birch
Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Antique Seating
Walnut, Upholstery
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Oak
Late 19th Century Unknown Eastlake Antique Seating
Glass, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Seating
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century French Rustic Antique Seating
Wood
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
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Nobody Puts This Sunny Sofa in a Corner
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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.
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.