Seating
Mid-19th Century Spanish Renaissance Antique Seating
Leather, Oak
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Seating
Oak
Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Antique Seating
Walnut, Upholstery
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Seating
Brass
Late 19th Century Unknown Eastlake Antique Seating
Glass, Wood
Mid-19th Century American Adirondack Antique Seating
Rush, Wood
19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Seating
Pine
Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Seating
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Seating
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
1820s American Empire Antique Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
1890s British Victorian Antique Seating
Fabric, Oak
19th Century Regency Antique Seating
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Oak
19th Century Antique Seating
Cane, Wood
1870s English Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Linen, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Seating
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Directoire Antique Seating
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Fabric, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Seating
Zebra Hide, Wood
1810s French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Upholstery, Velvet, Paint
Late 18th Century American Adirondack Antique Seating
Paint
1870s North American Empire Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century English Antique Seating
Metal
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
1810s English Regency Antique Seating
Wool, Walnut
1770s English Chinese Chippendale Antique Seating
Suede, Mahogany
19th Century Italian Rustic Antique Seating
Wood
Late 18th Century French Antique Seating
Stone, Limestone
1680s French Mid-Century Modern Antique Seating
Plastic
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Other
19th Century Italian French Provincial Antique Seating
Fabric, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Seating
Beech, Bentwood
19th Century French Rustic Antique Seating
Wood
19th Century Antique Seating
Mahogany, Upholstery
19th Century British Rustic Antique Seating
Wood
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Seating
Cane, Oak
1880s French Louis XV Antique Seating
Walnut
1890s English Adam Style Antique Seating
Cane, Satinwood
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Seating
Silk, Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Tapestry, Giltwood
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Italian Gothic Revival Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1890s American Adirondack Antique Seating
Wood
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Seating
Walnut
1780s French Louis XV Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Seating
Pine
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
1890s English Arts and Crafts Antique Seating
Rush, Oak
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Tapestry, Giltwood, Wool, Silk
1870s American Antique Seating
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1830s American American Classical Antique Seating
Brass, Ormolu
1880s American Victorian Antique Seating
Brass, Steel
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
20 Inviting Dining Rooms Perfectly Arranged for Entertaining
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
Nobody Puts This Sunny Sofa in a Corner
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
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.