Seating
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Seating
Wood, Upholstery
1780s Italian Louis XVI Antique Seating
Straw, Walnut
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Fabric, Bentwood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Seating
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Seating
Velvet, Nutwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Seating
Brass
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Suede, Oak
1970s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Bouclé, Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Bentwood
1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Seating
Beech, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century American Louis XVI Seating
Velvet, Wood
1780s Italian Louis XVI Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Seating
Fabric, Beech
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Textile, Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Unknown Louis XVI Seating
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Tapestry, Giltwood
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Iron
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood
19th Century Louis XVI Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
1780s Italian Louis XVI Antique Seating
Walnut
1780s Italian Louis XVI Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Silk, Wood
1750s Italian Louis XVI Antique Seating
Walnut
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Seating
Cowhide, Cane, Walnut
1920s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Seating
Beech, Fabric, Bentwood
20th Century French Louis XVI Seating
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary North American Louis XVI Seating
Upholstery, Oak
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Giltwood
Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
1750s Italian Louis XVI Antique Seating
Walnut
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Oak
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Seating
Bentwood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Beech
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Beech
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Seating
Wood, Fabric, Birch
1890s German Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood, Braid
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Seating
Walnut
20th Century French Louis XVI Seating
Upholstery, Paint
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
1930s European Louis XVI Vintage Seating
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Seating
Fruitwood
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Wood
Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Beech
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Seating
Bouclé, Upholstery, Oak
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Seating
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Walnut, Upholstery
1920s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Seating
Fabric, Glass, Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Seating
Beech
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Upholstery, 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.