Wingback Chairs
1880s French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Beech, Paint
1950s American Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood, Silk, Upholstery, Linen
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1880s French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Walnut
1890s American Mission Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
1950s American Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
19th Century Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
19th Century American Mission Antique Wingback Chairs
Wicker, Paint, Upholstery
1950s American Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
1950s Italian Vintage Wingback Chairs
19th Century French Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century French William IV Antique Wingback Chairs
Linen
1840s English William IV Antique Wingback Chairs
Brass
Late 19th Century English George I Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Wood
1950s Danish Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Oak, Teak
1830s British Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Cherry
19th Century Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Wingback Chairs
Brass, 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.