Carver Chairs
Antique Late 18th Century British Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century Irish George III Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Country Windsor Chairs
Beech
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Maple
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Birch
Antique 1820s Georgian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Birch
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Pine
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rosewood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Birch
Antique Early 19th Century George III Windsor Chairs
Ash
Antique 19th Century English George III Chairs
Other
Antique 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Georgian Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 1840s Country Windsor Chairs
Beech
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Birch
Early 20th Century English Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Regency Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Other
Antique Early 19th Century Country Windsor Chairs
Ash
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass
Antique 18th Century English Armchairs
Rush, Elm
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Side Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chairs
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Chairs
Birch
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 1830s Great Britain (UK) William IV Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century English Rustic Windsor Chairs
Beech, Elm
Mid-20th Century Country Windsor Chairs
Elm
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chairs
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century French High Victorian Armchairs
Other
Antique Late 19th Century English Windsor Chairs
Beech, Elm
Mid-20th Century Country Windsor Chairs
Elm
Antique 1820s Regency Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s Danish Brutalist Dining Room Chairs
Pine
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Rattan, Beech
Late 20th Century Danish Dining Room Chairs
Leather
Antique 1890s English Industrial Armchairs
Vintage 1920s Sheraton Armchairs
Oak
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Wood, Pine
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Rosewood
Vintage 1930s English Victorian Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Pine
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Armchairs
Cane, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century British Armchairs
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Side Chairs
Plywood
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Chairs
Oak
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Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dining chair with arms is called a carver chair or elbow chair. It is a traditional dining chair with arms added to it for a more structured look and is a popular option for dining seats for a spot to comfortably rest your arms. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a carver chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 5, 2020
A carver chair is a dining chair with arms. It is sometimes called an elbow chair. Vintage carver chairs were often made in pairs as a part of a set of dining chairs. Reproductions of antique carver chairs are also very popular.
- Is carver chair a brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
Carver chairs do not refer to a specific furniture brand — a carver chair is a generic kind of dining chair, although it features the added comfort of armrests. Vintage carver dining chairs and antique carver chairs are frequently requested at furniture stores around the United States as a staple of the American household.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
The design has changed over the years, but most antique carver chairs were made of wood. Antique carver chairs were wide chairs made in 17th century New England — with backs that featured several supporting spindles — although there were no spindles between the armrests and the seat. Antique carver chairs were typically topped with decorative ornaments.
- Where can I buy a carver chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
Many stores sell carver chairs, and antique carver chairs can typically be found in secondhand/vintage shops across the country. Simple and comfortable, the carver chair is one of the most popular dining chairs in the United States. Here at 1stDibs, there are many different styles of carver chairs for sale.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The end chairs are called an armchair. Typically found at the head of the table, these specific chairs have armrests and give off a more formal feel. You can shop a collection of armchairs and dining tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Why is it called a carver chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
A theory about how carver chairs got their name is that the “master of the household” would sit at the head of the dining table and carve the meat that would be served for dinner. A widely reported origin story for the carver chair is that the name references a Pilgrim named John Carver, who was the founder of the Plymouth colony of Massachusetts in the United States. Carver is said to have owned a dining chair with armrests. This theory has been challenged, however, as John Carver may have died before the first carver chairs were made.
- What does Carver chair mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Carver chair is a type of seating crafted out of wood. Normally, the backs feature curved rails and may feature cutouts or spindles. Arms generally slope downwards and have only front supports. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Carver chairs.
- What is a carver dining chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A carver dining chair is a kind of spool chair with legs rising above the seat level to frame the back and support the armrests. A theory about how carver chairs got their name is that the “master of the household” would sit at the head of the dining table and carve the meat that would be served for dinner. A widely reported origin story for the carver chair is that the name references a Pilgrim named John Carver, who was the founder of the Plymouth colony of Massachusetts in the United States. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique and vintage carver chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024No one knows for sure why some dining chairs with arms are called carvers. However, it likely relates to the historical use of these chairs. Technically, carver is the nickname for a specific type of dining chair with arms, not for all dining armchairs. A Colonial American design, a carver chair features a backrest that wraps around the sides and forms arms. Traditionally, the carver chair went at the head of the table, and often the family member responsible for carving the primary entrée sat at this place. As a result, the chair's purpose for seating the carver of the meal is one potential explanation for the nickname. Another is that the name comes from John Carver, the governor of the Plymouth Colony. Reportedly, Carver owned one of these chairs, and people began referring to them by his name as a result. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of carver chairs.
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