Wingback Chairs
1790s British Antique Wingback Chairs
Oak
1960s Australian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Polystyrene
1960s Australian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Polystyrene
1960s Australian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Plywood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Oak
18th Century Irish George II Antique Wingback Chairs
Tapestry, Mahogany
1760s English George II Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Cowhide, Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Oak
1960s American Queen Anne Vintage Wingback Chairs
Damask, Maple
Late 18th Century Irish Hepplewhite Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Fabric, Beech
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood, Teak
1780s English Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Hardwood
1960s Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1960s Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Wingback Chairs
Linen, Wood
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Wingback Chairs
Wood
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
18th Century English Georgian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood
1960s American Vintage Wingback Chairs
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Chrome
1960s American American Colonial Vintage Wingback Chairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
18th Century English Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Plywood, Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Birch
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric
1760s German Baroque Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Faux Leather, Teak
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Ultrasuede, Walnut
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Walnut, Leather
Mid-18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Late 18th Century American Antique Wingback Chairs
18th Century Antique Wingback Chairs
Elm
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Wingback Chairs
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak, Canvas
1740s English Queen Anne Antique Wingback Chairs
Muslin, Mahogany
Early 18th Century Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
Early 18th Century Chippendale Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany, Maple, Suede, Jute, Cotton, Upholstery
1960s American Bohemian Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Cane, Wood, Walnut
1730s English George II Antique Wingback Chairs
Walnut
1960s American Chinese Chippendale Vintage Wingback Chairs
Wood
1960s Dutch Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Metal, Wire
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.