Seating
Early 1800s Austrian Empire Antique Seating
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Danish Empire Antique Seating
Fabric, Oak, Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Seating
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Ormolu
Late 19th Century European Empire Antique Seating
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Metal, Aluminum
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
1820s Italian Empire Antique Seating
Walnut
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Seating
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Empire Antique Seating
Straw, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Wood, Upholstery
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Chinese Chippendale Vintage Seating
Wood, Faux Bamboo
1930s French Empire Vintage Seating
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Seating
Velvet, Beech
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
1880s French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
1980s Italian Empire Vintage Seating
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Ormolu
1980s French Empire Vintage Seating
Leather, Birch
Early 20th Century American Empire Seating
Mahogany
1940s French Empire Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
1860s Swedish Empire Antique Seating
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Fabric, Faux Bamboo, Cane, Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chippendale Seating
Metal, Aluminum
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Chippendale Seating
Bamboo, Cane, Reed, Paint
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Seating
Fabric, Pine, Paint
Late 20th Century Empire Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
1880s French Empire Antique Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century Empire Antique Seating
Wood, Burl
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Seating
Brass
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Textile, Cane, Rattan, Wood
1980s Chinese Chippendale Vintage Seating
Leather, Bamboo, Cane
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Linen, Walnut
20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Seating
Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-19th Century British Empire Antique Seating
Velvet, Ebony
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
18th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Cherry, Walnut
Early 1800s Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Seating
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
1860s French Empire Antique Seating
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Cane, Wood
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Seating
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Seating
Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Seating
Faux Bamboo
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
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.