Seating
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
1880s English High Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
1990s American Empire Seating
Leather, Wood
Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Other
1880s French Victorian Antique Seating
Crocodile, Oak
19th Century American Victorian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Rosewood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Oak
1890s American Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
1980s Empire Vintage Seating
Cotton, Wood
2010s British High Victorian Seating
Beech
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Elm
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Other
Late 19th Century Early Victorian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Seating
Linen, Satinwood
19th Century American Victorian Antique Seating
Brass
Mid-19th Century Irish Early Victorian Antique Seating
Wood, Upholstery
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Other
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Oak
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Welsh Late Victorian Antique Seating
Oak
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Seating
Leather, Mahogany
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Seating
Leather
Mid-20th Century Victorian Seating
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Cane, Lacquer
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Oak
20th Century English Victorian Seating
Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
Late 20th Century Victorian Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Wood
2010s British Victorian Seating
Leather
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century English Late Victorian Seating
Leather, Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Victorian Seating
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century European Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
1890s British Victorian Antique Seating
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Victorian Seating
Wrought Iron
1880s Victorian Antique Seating
Wood
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Bronze
1820s Italian Empire Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Victorian Seating
Cane, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Victorian Seating
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-19th Century American Victorian Antique Seating
Faux Bamboo, Maple
2010s American Empire Seating
Beech
1850s Italian Early Victorian Antique Seating
Leather, Fruitwood
19th Century French Victorian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Seating
Birch
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Seating
Leather, Oak
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.
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