Seating
1880s Syrian Islamic Antique Seating
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
1890s British Edwardian Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
1850s British Victorian Antique Seating
Leather, Mahogany
1880s English Victorian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Upholstery, Giltwood, Down
18th Century Antique Seating
Mahogany
1890s Danish Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century British William IV Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Antique Seating
Pine
19th Century British Country Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Chesterfield Antique Seating
Leather, Oak
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Upholstery, Cane, Hardwood
19th Century English Jacobean Antique Seating
Linen, Oak
1880s British Aesthetic Movement Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1830s English Victorian Antique Seating
Leather, Mahogany
1880s English Arts and Crafts Antique Seating
Oak
19th Century Antique Seating
Cane, Wood
19th Century Hepplewhite Antique Seating
Wood
19th Century German Antique Seating
Oak
1880s American Mid-Century Modern Antique Seating
Upholstery
19th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Antique Seating
Rope, Oak
Late 19th Century British High Victorian Antique Seating
Iron, Wrought Iron
19th Century English Antique Seating
Brass
1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Seating
Velvet, Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
1890s English Arts and Crafts Antique Seating
Oak
19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Seating
Brass
1780s English Antique Seating
Mahogany
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
1860s English High Victorian Antique Seating
Leather, Mahogany
1780s English George III Antique Seating
Mahogany
19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Boxwood, Kingwood, Rosewood, Satinwood
19th Century English William IV Antique Seating
Other
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Seating
Walnut
19th Century Dutch Antique Seating
Paint, Wood
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Seating
Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Iron
1820s American American Classical Antique Seating
Birdseye Maple
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Tapestry, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Leather, Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Other
Late 19th Century English Antique Seating
Oak
1810s English Regency Antique Seating
Hardwood, Leather
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Seating
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Seating
Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Leather, Oak
Mid-19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Seating
Cherry
19th Century English Victorian Antique Seating
Mahogany
1650s Mid-Century Modern Antique Seating
Hardwood
1790s Antique Seating
Wood
1880s English Antique Seating
Mahogany
1810s English Regency Antique Seating
Leather, Walnut
1650s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Seating
Brass
1860s French Louis XV Antique Seating
Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Seating
Linen, 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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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.
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.