Wingback Chairs
20th Century English Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric
1880s French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian American Classical Wingback Chairs
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Wingback Chairs
Cotton, Walnut, Velvet, Damask
Mid-20th Century Italian Wingback Chairs
Wood, Bouclé
Mid-20th Century Central American Wingback Chairs
Horn, Leather
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Asian American Classical Wingback Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
Muslin, Wood
20th Century American Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood
1760s English George II Antique Wingback Chairs
Muslin, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Wingback Chairs
Metal
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany, Maple, Pine
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Nutwood
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
1860s English High Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Cotton
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Georgian Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1910s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Wool, Beech
1950s American Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
20th Century English Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Wingback Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Wingback Chairs
Silk, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Italian Wingback Chairs
Bamboo
Late 18th Century Antique Wingback Chairs
Linen
1980s Japanese Japonisme Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bamboo, Cane
1690s English Baroque Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
2010s British Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bamboo, Wicker
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Cowhide
20th Century English Georgian Wingback Chairs
Leather, Beech
Early 20th Century Unknown Baroque Revival Wingback Chairs
Silver Leaf
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1990s American George III Wingback Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Georgian Wingback Chairs
Leather
1880s English High Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Oak
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Ash
Early 18th Century English William IV Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Austrian Wingback Chairs
Fruitwood
20th Century Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin
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.