Cleopatra Chair
20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Greco Roman Side Chairs
Cotton, Wood, Down
Vintage 1970s French Hollywood Regency Side Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Papercord, Beech
Vintage 1930s American Egyptian Revival Armchairs
Wood
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Bentwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Fabric, Rattan, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Side Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut, Burl
Vintage 1970s French Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Lacquer, Fabric, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Greek Armchairs
Terracotta
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Fabric, Upholstery
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
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Vintage 1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Murano Glass, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Hungarian Baroque Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s British Organic Modern Table Lamps
Brass
2010s Italian Other Chandeliers and Pendants
Blown Glass
2010s American Beds and Bed Frames
Upholstery, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Pine
Mid-20th Century French Rustic Bottles
Glass, Wicker
20th Century Moroccan Moorish Lanterns
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Industrial Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s American Modern Contemporary Art
Paper
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric
Antique Early 19th Century French Restauration Beds and Bed Frames
Bronze
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Sofas
Wood
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.
- What is a Cleopatra chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023A Cleopatra chair is a chair with a U-shaped seat support. Most examples feature wood frames and cushioning. The name comes from the fact that the lines of the chair echo those of the thrones that Ancient Egyptian kings and queens once sat on. Danish designer Hans Frydenal and American furniture maker Fergusson Copeland both created chairs called the Cleopatra. Shop a large selection of chairs on 1stDibs.
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