Wingback Chairs
1770s French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Down
1840s American Chippendale Antique Wingback Chairs
Muslin, Mahogany, Poplar, Cypress
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Dutch Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1960s English Chesterfield Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Late 20th Century English Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Teak
20th Century American George III Wingback Chairs
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Wood
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Elm
1960s Danish Country Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood, Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Brass
1930s French Louis XV Vintage Wingback Chairs
Linen, Walnut
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Oak, Wool
20th Century American British Colonial Wingback Chairs
Wicker
19th Century English Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
1990s American Post-Modern Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Upholstery
Late 20th Century Wingback Chairs
Wood
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Wingback Chairs
Brass
1980s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
1990s Canadian Art Deco Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Mahogany
1930s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Oak
1730s European Queen Anne Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Ash
Late 20th Century Scottish Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Straw, Oak
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Giltwood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood, Plywood
Early 2000s American Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Faux Leather
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut, Mohair, Silk, Velvet
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
1960s American Chippendale Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Early 20th Century Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Leather
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Textile, Oak
Late 20th Century Spanish Wingback Chairs
Bamboo, Wicker
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1880s English Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather
1990s Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Wool, Walnut
Late 20th Century American American Classical Wingback Chairs
Brass
1980s Vintage Wingback Chairs
Cotton, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Metal
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Asian American Classical Wingback Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century American Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
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.