Seating
Early 1900s Scottish Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Oak
1930s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Beech
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Other
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Beech, Plywood
20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Fabric, Walnut
Early 1900s Belgian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Iron
2010s Spanish Jugendstil Seating
Wood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Bentwood
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Seating
Wood
1890s French Louis XIV Antique Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Seating
Fruitwood, Cotton, Damask
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Seating
Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century German Jugendstil Seating
Oak, Lacquer, Paint
Late 17th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Wood
20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Seating
Leather, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Seating
Textile, Wood
1880s French Louis XIV Antique Seating
Beech
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Seating
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Art Nouveau Seating
Beech
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Seating
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Finnish Art Nouveau Seating
Wood, Paint
1920s Swedish Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Fabric, Birch
18th Century Belgian Louis XIV Antique Seating
Oak, Paint
20th Century German Art Nouveau Seating
Paint
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Seating
Oak
19th Century Belgian Louis XIV Antique Seating
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Louis XIV Seating
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Bentwood
1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Seating
Rattan
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Seating
Fabric, Beech
1920s Slovak Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Beech, Bentwood
2010s British Art Nouveau Seating
Metal
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Velvet, Wood
1980s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Rattan, Beech
1890s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Acrylic, Beech
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Oak, Sycamore
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Plywood
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Bentwood
19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Walnut
1980s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Fabric, Glass, Wood
2010s Portuguese Louis XIV Seating
Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Down, Feathers, Silk
Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Antique Seating
Walnut
Early 1900s European Louis XIV Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Bentwood
1880s French Louis XIV Antique Seating
Fabric, Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Seating
Brass
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Bentwood
1920s Czech Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Bentwood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Seating
Brass
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Seating
Leather, Wood
1950s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Copper, Zinc
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Bamboo, Cane
1890s Norwegian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
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.