Wingback Chairs
1840s German Biedermeier Antique Wingback Chairs
Yew
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Wingback Chairs
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Brass
20th Century American Wingback Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Damask, Walnut
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Hardwood
19th Century Antique Wingback Chairs
Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wool, Rosewood
1740s English Queen Anne Antique Wingback Chairs
Muslin, Mahogany
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Brass
1840s British Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Beech
1990s American Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
20th Century English Regency Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century British Antique Wingback Chairs
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Wingback Chairs
Leather
20th Century American Federal Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American American Classical Wingback Chairs
Brass
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Early 2000s American Modern Wingback Chairs
Aluminum
2010s Nigerian Wingback Chairs
Beads
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Wingback Chairs
Textile, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Fabric, Beech
1780s English George III Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Wood, Beech
19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Oak
Mid-20th Century British Wingback Chairs
Leather
19th Century Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Chenille, Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century American Classical Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century English Art Deco Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Beech
Early 1900s European Antique Wingback Chairs
Wool, Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century English Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Classical Wingback Chairs
Brass
1810s English Regency Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Wingback Chairs
Fabric
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1940s Chippendale Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak, Canvas
1950s English Victorian Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Beech
20th Century Spanish Victorian Wingback Chairs
Rattan
19th Century English Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Brass
2010s American Modern Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Oak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Wood, Beech
1760s German Baroque Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
Mid-19th Century English Charles II Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian American Classical Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
2010s Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1960s American Federal Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Early 18th Century French Baroque Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Walnut
19th Century British Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Jacobean Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
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.