Wingback Chairs
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Maple
1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Teak, Leather
20th Century English Other Wingback Chairs
Brass
Early 20th Century Louis XVI Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
1920s Danish Art Deco Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Damask, Upholstery, Birch
Early 2000s American Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
1960s Italian Vintage Wingback Chairs
Linen, Bamboo, Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary Organic Modern Wingback Chairs
Linen, Wood, Birch
19th Century English William and Mary Antique Wingback Chairs
Linen, Oak
1920s English Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century English Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
20th Century Unknown Georgian Wingback Chairs
Brass
Late 20th Century Hepplewhite Wingback Chairs
Brass
1990s American Post-Modern Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Upholstery
20th Century Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Brass
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Beech
20th Century American George III Wingback Chairs
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Wingback Chairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Wingback Chairs
Leather
2010s European Modern Wingback Chairs
Wood, Velvet
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Teak
20th Century American Georgian Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Tudor Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Wingback Chairs
Wood, Upholstery, Foam
Mid-20th Century American Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
1750s English George III Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century French French Provincial Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century English Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1890s French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
20th Century French Louis XVI Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Birch
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Wingback Chairs
Tapestry, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
1750s English George II Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Beech
20th Century French Louis XV Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
20th Century American British Colonial Wingback Chairs
Wicker
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1770s French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Down
19th Century Swedish Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Classical Roman Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
20th Century Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Wingback Chairs
Oak
Late 20th Century American Georgian Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1960s American Queen Anne Vintage Wingback Chairs
Damask, Maple
1950s French Louis XV Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany, Textile, Silk
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
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.