Seating
Early 1800s French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Fabric, Hickory
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 17th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Seating
Steel, Chrome
Late 19th Century French Antique Seating
Oak
19th Century Rustic Antique Seating
Pine, Paint
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
18th Century Antique Seating
Cherry
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Seating
Cane, Cherry
19th Century French Aubusson Antique Seating
Wood, Fabric
Late 19th Century North American American Colonial Antique Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Seating
Enamel, Iron
1650s French Antique Seating
Faux Leather
19th Century Virgin Islands Regency Antique Seating
Cane, Mahogany, Oak
Early 18th Century American Regency Antique Seating
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-18th Century European Antique Seating
Silk, Fruitwood, Rosewood
1890s French Antique Seating
Rush, Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Seating
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Walnut
18th Century British Primitive Antique Seating
Elm
18th Century English Primitive Antique Seating
Elm
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Seating
Linen, Wood, Paint
18th Century French Antique Seating
Wood
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Seating
Giltwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Seating
Upholstery
19th Century Indian Antique Seating
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Silk, Wood
1840s Danish Other Antique Seating
Wool, Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Seating
Leather, Oak
Early 1800s English Antique Seating
Wool, Wood
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Seating
Maple
18th Century Northern Irish George III Antique Seating
Mahogany
1830s English Antique Seating
Linen, Wood
1890s Swiss Black Forest Antique Seating
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
1810s Austrian Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
Mid-18th Century Norwegian Antique Seating
Wood
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Seating
Gold Leaf
1850s French Rustic Antique Seating
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Seating
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Walnut
1850s American Adirondack Antique Seating
Wood
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Iron
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Seating
Fabric, Hardwood
1850s French Louis XV Antique Seating
Fabric
17th Century English Antique Seating
Oak
Late 18th Century Scottish Antique Seating
Hardwood
18th Century English Georgian Antique Seating
Oak
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Seating
Oak
19th Century Antique Seating
Mahogany
1880s American Antique Seating
Walnut
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Oak, Sycamore
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Seating
Fruitwood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Muslin, Wood
Late 19th Century French Folk Art Antique Seating
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Primitive Antique Seating
Pine
1830s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Antique Seating
Birch
Mid-18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Seating
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Seating
Pine
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
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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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.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
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.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.