Wingback Chairs
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Wingback Chairs
Wood, Fabric
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bamboo, Cotton, Rattan
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Elm
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Georgian Wingback Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century British Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Wingback Chairs
Nickel
20th Century French Louis XVI Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1960s Unknown Chippendale Vintage Wingback Chairs
Cotton, Wood, Down
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Early 20th Century British Wingback Chairs
Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wool, Oak
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wool, Oak
Early 20th Century British Country Wingback Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
1740s English Queen Anne Antique Wingback Chairs
Muslin, Mahogany
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany, Leather
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Giltwood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary English Victorian Wingback Chairs
Leather
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century British William and Mary Antique Wingback Chairs
Oak
Early 1900s European Antique Wingback Chairs
Wool, Wood
1780s English Chippendale Antique Wingback Chairs
Suede, Cotton, Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin
2010s American Modern Wingback Chairs
Mohair, Wood, Walnut
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Beech
Late 19th Century English Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century Scottish Wingback Chairs
Straw, Wood, Rush
1990s English Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Cowhide
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
1840s British Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Brass
Late 20th Century Wingback Chairs
Wood
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Wingback Chairs
Leather
20th Century American Classical Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Renaissance Wingback Chairs
Wood
1990s Canadian Art Deco Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Cotton, Satin, Mahogany
Late 20th Century English Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather
19th Century Antique Wingback Chairs
Wood
2010s American Modern Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Oak
20th Century Classical Roman Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
1940s Chippendale Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century English Georgian Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather
1980s Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
1990s American Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak, Walnut
Early 18th Century British William and Mary Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Lambskin, Beech
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wool, Rosewood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century English Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Leather
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.