Wingback Chairs
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Wingback Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century English Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s European Modern Wingback Chairs
Wood, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Wingback Chairs
Fabric
Late 20th Century American American Classical Wingback Chairs
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1880s French Rococo Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather
20th Century Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather
1960s Queen Anne Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Beech
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Wood, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Edwardian Wingback Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Regency Wingback Chairs
Oak, Velvet
1960s Dutch Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1790s British Antique Wingback Chairs
Oak
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Wingback Chairs
Wood
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Cherry, Upholstery
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Wingback Chairs
Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary Classical Roman Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Nutwood, Fabric
2010s American Wingback Chairs
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Wingback Chairs
Cotton, Walnut, Velvet, Damask
1980s Rustic Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Wood
Mid-20th Century Napoleon III Wingback Chairs
Mahogany, Cotton
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1990s Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
1930s American Vintage Wingback Chairs
Cotton, Mahogany, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
Hardwood, Ash, Upholstery
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather
1890s American Mission Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
1980s Bohemian Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Cotton
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Textile, Wood
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Metal, Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Brass
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century English Country Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Louis XVI Wingback Chairs
Linen, Cane, Wood
18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Wingback Chairs
Maple, Walnut
Late 19th Century English Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Metal
1990s American Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood, Beech, Fabric
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.