Wingback Chairs
1990s English Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Oak
1990s Canadian Art Deco Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
1990s Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
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
1990s Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Oak
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
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
1960s Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1960s Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1990s Wingback Chairs
Leather, Sheepskin
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
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
1990s Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Plywood, Leather, Wood
1990s American George III Wingback Chairs
Leather
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
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
1990s American Queen Anne Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
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
1990s Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Cotton
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Teak, Canvas
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Brass
1960s American Bohemian Vintage Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Cane, Wood, 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
1990s Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Leather
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Hide, Upholstery, Bentwood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bouclé, Walnut
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Brass
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Oak
1960s George II Vintage Wingback Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Sheepskin, Birch
1960s Unknown Chippendale Vintage Wingback Chairs
Cotton, Wood, Down
1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Maple
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.