Wingback Chairs
20th Century American Federal Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Beech
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century French Country Wingback Chairs
Mohair, Upholstery
1960s American Queen Anne Vintage Wingback Chairs
Damask, Maple
20th Century American Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian American Classical Wingback Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian American Classical Wingback Chairs
Leather
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Seagrass, Beech
1940s French Louis XV Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian American Classical Wingback Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1760s English George II Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather
18th Century Irish George II Antique Wingback Chairs
Tapestry, Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Nutwood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Georgian Wingback Chairs
Leather
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Philippine Wingback Chairs
Rattan
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Oak
1950s English Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
1830s English Antique Wingback Chairs
Linen, Wood
1970s American Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
Mid-19th Century English Antique Wingback Chairs
Linen, Wood
1830s English Antique Wingback Chairs
Linen, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood, Bouclé
Mid-20th Century English Edwardian Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Late 19th Century English George I Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Wingback Chairs
Leather
1950s Danish Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric
Early 1800s English Antique Wingback Chairs
Wool, Wood
19th Century French Antique Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Wood
1970s Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century British Wingback Chairs
Leather
Late 20th Century Louis XV Wingback Chairs
Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Oak
Late 18th Century Irish Hepplewhite Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
19th Century English Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Wood, Beech
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Wood, Beech
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Wingback Chairs
Wicker, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Wood, Beech
1920s English William and Mary Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Wood, Beech
1980s English Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Bohemian Wingback Chairs
Wicker
Late 19th Century Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Wingback Chairs
Brass
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.