Seating
1920s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Stainless Steel
Early 1900s Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Revival Seating
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Rush, Wood
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
1920s Swiss Vintage Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Modern Seating
Wood
1920s Queen Anne Vintage Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Sheraton Seating
Mahogany, Wool, Fabric, Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Seating
Bronze
Early 1900s William IV Antique Seating
Mahogany
1920s Finnish Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Steel
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Seating
Velvet
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Seating
Leather, Wood
1930s Dutch Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Aluminum, Chrome
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Seating
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Seating
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Beech
1930s Art Deco Vintage Seating
Iron
Early 20th Century Vienna Secession Seating
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Seating
Leather
1930s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1930s Vintage Seating
Bouclé, Wood
Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Seating
Chrome
1930s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Seating
Birch, Plywood
Early 1900s German Antique Seating
Softwood
Early 20th Century Unknown Gothic Revival Seating
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Upholstery, Birch, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Swiss Louis XV Seating
Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Seating
Linen, Wood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
1930s Dutch Arts and Crafts Vintage Seating
Velvet, Oak
1930s Dutch Industrial Vintage Seating
Metal
1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Brass
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Beech
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Seating
Beech, Plywood
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Seating
Beech, Bentwood
1930s Dutch Industrial Vintage Seating
Metal, Chrome
1930s Dutch Industrial Vintage Seating
Metal, Chrome
1930s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Seating
Leather
Early 20th Century English Chippendale Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Antique Seating
Beech, Bentwood
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Seating
Bamboo
1930s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Bentwood
Early 20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Seating
Sheepskin, Beech
1930s Dutch Industrial Vintage Seating
Metal, Chrome
1930s Dutch Industrial Vintage Seating
Metal, Chrome
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Wool
1930s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1920s American American Craftsman Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
1930s French Vintage Seating
Fabric
1920s Italian Vintage Seating
Chestnut
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Seating
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century French Revival Seating
Composition
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Sheepskin, Ash
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Seating
Elm, Lacquer
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
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
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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.