Wingback Chairs
Early 20th Century Unknown Baroque Revival Wingback Chairs
Silver Leaf
20th Century Italian Wingback Chairs
Bamboo
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany, Maple, Pine
1990s Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Cotton
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Brass
1980s Swiss Industrial Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
1980s Chippendale Vintage Wingback Chairs
Cotton, Mahogany, Down, Velvet
20th Century English Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Leather
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century European Louis XV Wingback Chairs
Fruitwood
2010s Renaissance Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Teak
1950s Romantic Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1980s Japanese Japonisme Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bamboo, Cane
1920s American American Colonial Vintage Wingback Chairs
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Wingback Chairs
Fabric
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood, Bouclé
1840s German Biedermeier Antique Wingback Chairs
Yew
1690s English Baroque Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
1990s Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian American Classical Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak, Canvas
1760s English Antique Wingback Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Wingback Chairs
Hide, Mohair, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Wool, Walnut
1880s French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Central American Wingback Chairs
Horn, Leather
19th Century Unknown Antique Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Trimming
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
20th Century Classical Roman Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1990s American Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak, Walnut
1760s English George II Antique Wingback Chairs
Muslin, Walnut
19th Century European Baroque Antique Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wool, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Cowhide
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
1960s American Chippendale Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century European Wingback Chairs
Wood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Wingback Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
Late 20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
Muslin, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Metal
1950s European Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Philippine Anglo-Indian Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wicker, Rattan, Reed, Bamboo
18th Century Irish George II Antique Wingback Chairs
Tapestry, Mahogany
20th Century Country Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century English Wingback Chairs
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Oak, Upholstery
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Foam, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
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.