Wingback Chairs
Mid-20th Century Art Nouveau Wingback Chairs
Fruitwood, Cotton, Damask
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Wingback Chairs
Wicker, Wood
1940s Unknown Art Nouveau Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Wingback Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
1810s English Regency Antique Wingback Chairs
Hardwood, Leather
1990s Italian Art Nouveau Wingback Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century British Country Wingback Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Central American Wingback Chairs
Horn, Leather
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Wood
2010s British Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1980s American Art Nouveau Vintage Wingback Chairs
Faux Leather, Lacquer
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather, Ash, Lacquer
Early 20th Century British Wingback Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Georgian Wingback Chairs
Leather, Linen, Wood
1960s American Queen Anne Vintage Wingback Chairs
Damask, Maple
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Wingback Chairs
Bentwood
Mid-20th Century American Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Regency Wingback Chairs
Rattan
Late 20th Century American Regency Wingback Chairs
Leather, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century North American Regency Wingback Chairs
Velvet
20th Century American Regency Wingback Chairs
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Regency Wingback Chairs
Leather
1990s Italian Art Nouveau Wingback Chairs
Wood
20th Century English Regency Wingback Chairs
Leather
1810s English Regency Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
1920s Swedish Art Nouveau Vintage Wingback Chairs
Oak
Early 20th Century European Regency Wingback Chairs
Damask, Upholstery, Wood
1980s English Regency Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
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.