Evoking rusticity and relaxation through simple and elegant designs, vintage Adirondack furniture originated in the Adirondack Mountains of northeastern New York. The most famous piece is the Adirondack chair, which dates to 1903.
With its ample armrests and sturdy but comfortable slanted seat, the reclined Adirondack chair was designed by Thomas Lee for his own country home. The postwar golden age of modern patio and garden furniture production — led by the likes of Brown Jordan, Knoll, Salterini and Woodard — was decades away at the time, and there were few pieces of furniture specifically created for outdoor use.
Lee, a Massachusetts-born Harvard graduate raised in a wealthy family, was no furniture designer. He merely needed a durable, rugged chair for afternoons in the sun while he was vacationing on Lake Champlain in Westport, New York, in the summer. The amateur woodworker used just one wooden plank cut into 11 segments that were jointed together for his now-legendary seat, which is said to have been made of hemlock, hickory or basswood.
The story of the Adirondack chair continues with Lee’s friend, carpenter Harry Bunnell, covertly patenting the chair and going on to produce it as the Westport Plank chair for a growing audience over the next two decades. Over a century later, the Adirondack chair has gone through several design evolutions while maintaining its popularity and basic form with slats of wood such as pine offering comfort both indoors and out.
The widespread demand for rustic Adirondack outdoor furniture was bolstered by the turn-of-the-century establishment of rural escapes to treat diseases such as tuberculosis. The low-slung Adirondack chair became common in these places of convalescence, allowing patients to recline and breathe in the country air. It also complemented the camp-style architecture that was prevalent in the Adirondacks for recreation as well as restoration, where rugged furniture with exposed wood and minimal carving filled interiors and wide porches.
Today, Adirondack chairs are made in a range of materials and can be found around the world, from ski resorts to lakeside piers, their durability and classic form making them an enduring favorite for spending time in nature.
Find vintage Adirondack chairs, benches, lounge chairs, decorative objects, folk art and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Old Hickory Arm Chairs with Patchwork Leather - Set of Four
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of Old Hickory Arm chairs are in fine, and in sturdy condition. These chairs were made by the Old Hickory Furniture Company from Martinsville, Indiana. They have been uphols...
Leather, Hickory
$6,500 / set
Pair of Faux Antler Armchairs of Carved Wood
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very sculptural handsome pair of Faux Antler armchairs of carved wood.
Iron
$2,895 / set
Old Hickory Chairs in Brown Suede Leather - Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Old Hickory Chairs newly upholstered in brown suede seats & backing.These amazing barrel back Old Hickory chairs are super comfortable and ...
Suede, Hickory
$1,695 / set
Unique Wrought Iron Cane Chairs
Located in Hollywood, FL
What can I tell you?? I don`t know what they are, Who made them or what there called but OMG are they Incredible!
Iron
Vintage Snowshoe Arm Chairs by SnoCraft, Norway Maine
By SnoCraft
Located in Southampton, NJ
A pair of vintage Snowshoe Arm Chairs by Snocraft of Norway, Maine, with new custom cotton linen blue & white striped seat cushions. Dating to th...
Hide, Leather, Cotton, Linen, Pine
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
18thc New England Ladder Back Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18th century New England Ladder back armchair with original rush seat. Fantastic undisturbed surface with worn arms. Super comfortable and in nice...
Wood, Cane
Grand Windsor Chair by Herman de Vries for The Sikes Company of Buffalo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Grand Windsor Chair by The Sikes Company of Buffalo designed by Herman de Vries is a timeless piece of furniture that combines elegance and durability. Crafted with expert preci...
Birch
$2,900
H 30 in W 26 in D 24.5 in
Set of Four Tripod Memphis Dining Chairs in the Manner of Michele de Lucchi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful set of four steel and wood dining chairs from the Memphis period in the manner of Italian designer Michele De Lucchi. Newly powder coated satin black and the seat and bac...
Steel
$6,857
H 24.02 in W 21.66 in D 16.93 in
Tobia Scarpa, Set of four Pigreco wooden Chairs for Gavina, Italy (1959)
By Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Argelato, BO
The Pigreco chair was designed by the famous Italian architect Tobia Scarpa in 1959 for the Gavina company. This is an extremely important work in Scarpa's artistic career, in fact i...
Leather, Wood
$18,857 / set
H 28.75 in W 24.02 in D 20.48 in
Set of Six Cassina Swivel Arm Chairs LC7 by Le Corbusier, Perriand & Jeanneret
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina
Located in München, BY
Set of six swivel arm chairs. Designed by Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand & Pierre Jeanneret, 1927/1928. Manufactured by Cassina probably in 1970s, Italy. All chairs are marked. Makers mark / label and production number beneath the seat of each chair. Executed in dark blue leather and navy blue enameled metal base. Condition: Wear consistent with use and age. Two of the chairs repaired...
Metal
$3,369 / set
H 27.56 in W 43.31 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Vintage Distressed Brown Leather Chesterfield Club Tub Armchairs
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of Vintage distressed brown leather chesterfield club tub armchairs. A gorgeous pair with buttoned buttons, typical chesterfiel...
Leather
$9,433 / set
H 34.65 in W 35.83 in D 37.41 in
Antique Pair of Thomas Chippendale Style Chesterfield Brown Leather Armchairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of fully restored, Thomas Chippendale style, Victorian hand dyed brown leather Chesterfield buttoned club armchairs with Claw & Ba...
Leather
$5,339 / set
H 30.52 in W 34.65 in D 30.32 in
Pair of Fully Restored Vintage Dutch Mid-Century Modern Brown Leather Armchairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored pair of Dutch Mid-Century Modern, hand dyed rich cigar brown leather armchairs. An exceptionally good looking well-...
Leather
Pair of Regency Faux Bois Carved Rope and Tassel Armchairs
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of Palm Beach Regency faux bois hand carved rope and tassel armchairs in weathered white wash finish and upholstered in tropical banana leaf print fabric.
Wood
Unique French Modernist Wood and Cane Armchair, 1954
Located in ROUEN, FR
Rare one-of-a-kind French armchair handcrafted by a cabinetmaker in 1954. Featuring an architectural wooden frame with a natural cane seat and backrest. Its modernist construction,...
Cane, Wood
Cantilevered Mid Century Wrought Iron Lounge Chair Att. to Salterini
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural cantilevered mid century lounge arm chair, attributed to Salterini. The chair has a wrought iron frame, cantilevered spring ba...
Wrought Iron
$696 / set
H 33 in W 23 in D 18 in
Vintage Solid Maple Directors Chairs with Brown Canvas Upholstery, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of vintage solid maple directors chairs. Brown canvas upholstery. Excellent condition. Measurements are 23"W x 18"D x 33"H. Seat height is 1...
Canvas, Maple
Safari Chair by Kaare Klindt in Cognac Leather
Located in Karlstad, SE
Classic Safari chair by Kaare Klindt, manufactured by Rud Rasmusen, Denmark. This chair shows perfect original patina on the leather. Condition: The leather is well taken care of an...
Leather, Ash
Swivel Chair by Oddmund Vadd, Norway
By Oddmund Vad
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Convair swivel armchair was designed in the 1970s by Norwegian designer Oddmund Vad. The design of this armchair stands out for its spherical shape, which gives it a futuristic a...
Leather, Beech
American Adirondack Style Moose Antler Armchair
Located in Chicago, IL
An audacious homage to classic American wilderness craftsmanship, this 20th century Adirondack-inspired armchair feels plucked from a dream of the North Woods. Its frame—crafted from...
Antler, Wood
Old Hickory Barrel Back Leather Arm Chair
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing signed Old Hickory Barrel back chair has a wonderful aged patina and is in very good .sturdy condition.The seat & back are c...
Hickory
Pair of Carved Wood and Rawhide High Back Adirondack Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand, rustic pair of hand-hewn adirondack chairs featuring high backs with leather rawhide seat and back supports. The chairs are crafted from logs and thick branch wood with a natu...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
L & J G Stickley Morris Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
L. & J.G. Stickley Morris Arm Chair. Original antique circa 1905 Morris chair, #470 Fayetteville, New York Oak, upholstery Unsigned Dimensions: 32 In...
Oak
1950s French Cane Back Chairs, Pair
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A gorgeous pair of French chairs, reminiscent of an Adirondack style. We love the caning with the beautiful mahogany.
Cane, Mahogany
Old Hickory Set of Four Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These amazing Old Hickory arm chairs from Martinsville, Indiana are made @ The Old Hickory Furniture Company.They are all hand made and hand woven seats and backs.These chairs are in...
Hickory
Set of Four Beautiful Old Hickory Arm Chairs with Leather Seats
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six beautiful Old Hickory arm chairs with dark leather seats. The backs are upholstered in a vintage faded print velvet.
Leather, Velvet, Wood, Hickory
Original Painted Twig Chairs with Serape Cushions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of original orange painted twig folk art chairs. The pair of chairs have vintage serape cushions that are down & feather fill.The condition are ve...
Wool, Wood
19Thc English Children's Windsor Arm Chair Carved " Bertram"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Hand crafted & carved Children's Windsor captains chair with the name "BERTRAM " carved on the inside back of the crest of the chair. The conditi...
Pine
Sold
H 33.5 in W 31 in D 23 in
Antique Old Hickory Furniture Rocking Arm Chair No. 21 Rocker Adirondack Lodge
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Dayton, OH
"Antique circa 1930s #21 rocking chair by Old Hickory Furniture Company of Martinsville, Indiana. Features a primitive Adirondack style with flar...
Rattan, Hardwood
Sold
H 34.5 in W 29.5 in D 28.75 in
Antique Adirondack Old Hickory Oversized Stick Form & Rush Rocker & Chair, C1920
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Adirondack Old Hickory armchair and rocking chair offer stick form construction with woven rush seats and backs, c1920 Measures- chair 34.5''H x 29.5''W x 28.75''D; rocke...
Hickory
Old Hickory Hoop Arm Chair
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Old Hickory Hoop arm chair by Old Hickory Furniture Company, Martinsville, Indiana. Circa 1945.
Cane, Hickory