Wingback Chairs
Early 1800s British Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Unknown Biedermeier Wingback Chairs
Mohair
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Cotton
Early 1900s English Kilim Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
2010s British Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Wood
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Late 19th Century English Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
2010s Italian Neoclassical Revival Wingback Chairs
Copper, Steel
1840s English Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
1920s George III Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
Early 2000s American Modern Wingback Chairs
Silk, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Georgian Wingback Chairs
Leather
Mid-18th Century European Rococo Antique Wingback Chairs
Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Textile, Mahogany
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Beech, Oak
Late 20th Century Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
20th Century Unknown Wingback Chairs
Leather
20th Century Classical Roman Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Leather, Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Rattan
Late 19th Century Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
1960s George II Vintage Wingback Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
18th Century English Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Cowhide
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1990s Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin
1790s Irish Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Oak, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric
1950s Sheraton Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Fabric
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin
2010s Italian Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather
20th Century Italian Wingback Chairs
Silk, Rosewood
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
20th Century Spanish Georgian Wingback Chairs
Leather
20th Century Italian Wingback Chairs
Silk, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Edwardian Wingback Chairs
Leather
19th Century European Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Steel
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.