Wingback Chairs
1980s English Chesterfield Vintage Wingback Chairs
Cowhide
20th Century Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Cowhide
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
Mid-19th Century Danish Empire Antique Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Mohair, Cherry
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Mahogany
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
18th Century Irish George II Antique Wingback Chairs
Tapestry, Mahogany
1930s British Georgian Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1970s Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Wood, Plywood
20th Century Italian Wingback Chairs
Silk, Rosewood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wool, Rosewood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wool, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Hide, Sheepskin, Walnut
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Wingback Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Georgian Wingback Chairs
Wood
1980s Japanese Japonisme Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bamboo, Cane
1940s Chippendale Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Walnut
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Wingback Chairs
Walnut
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Metal
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Upholstery
1830s British Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Mahogany
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bamboo, Wicker
1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Steel
Early 18th Century British William and Mary Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Brass
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Elm
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Wingback Chairs
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Brass
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Metal
Early 20th Century Scottish Wingback Chairs
Straw, Wood, Rush
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Wingback Chairs
Wood, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Wingback Chairs
Steel
2010s American Modern Wingback Chairs
Linen, Maple
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Wrought Iron
1970s North American Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Rattan
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
1950s Italian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Wingback Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Edwardian Wingback Chairs
Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Metal
Late 18th Century American Antique Wingback Chairs
1880s French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
Wood, Velvet
20th Century American Victorian Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wicker
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
Late 18th Century Irish George III Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Wingback Chairs
Nickel
Early 20th Century European Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique, New and Vintage Wingback Chairs
They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s.
Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace.
Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals, from mid-century modern spinoffs to playful contemporary adaptations (like the Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch, wherein the place of wings are furry ears — a cheeky send-up of Hans Wegner’s iconic mid-century Papa Bear chair).
Shop the most innovative versions of wingback chairs today on 1stDibs.
Read More
Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair Scrambled the Idea of What a Wingback Could Be
The curvaceous Egg was designed to cradle the body and offer privacy. Later, it became the seat of choice for bosses in movies, too.
23 Ways to Rethink the Classic Wingback Chair
We take a fresh look at a more than 300-year-old fixture in furniture design.