Empire Seat
Antique 19th Century Furniture
Fabric, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Empire Loveseats
Palmwood
Antique 17th Century Italian Empire Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Antique 1850s American American Empire Prints
Paper
Antique 1890s French Empire Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Cambodian Metalwork
Bronze
Vintage 1930s American Benches
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Silk
Vintage 1920s Empire Stools
Giltwood
1990s Directoire Daybeds
Linen, Lacquer, Feathers
American Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Stools
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Empire Benches
Fruitwood
20th Century Empire Benches
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Early 1900s English Empire Chairs
Rush, Wood
Vintage 1950s French Empire Stools
Brass
Antique Early 1900s French Empire Stools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Empire Stools
Antique 1810s French Empire Daybeds
Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Antique 19th Century American Settees
Wood, Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century American Benches
Chenille
Antique 19th Century American Settees
2010s French Empire Benches
Iron
Antique 19th Century American Empire Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Sofas
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century American Settees
Chenille, Down
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Chairs
Cane, Wood
Vintage 1970s Benches
Aluminum
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Down
Antique 1840s Chairs
Other
Vintage 1950s Italian Empire Chairs
Straw, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks
Slate, Bronze
Early 20th Century English Empire Benches
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Side Chairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
Vintage 1980s American Empire Dining Room Chairs
Cherry
Antique Early 19th Century Russian Empire Corner Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Empire Benches
Upholstery, Hardwood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Provincial Settees
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Benches
Mahogany, Mohair
Early 20th Century Spanish Empire Revival Benches
Cane, Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Empire Stools
Antique 19th Century Swedish Stools
Early 20th Century American Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Antique 19th Century French Candelabras
20th Century European Regency Benches
Hardwood
Antique 19th Century Danish Art Deco Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Vintage 1940s American Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Early 20th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Antique 1880s French Neoclassical Chairs
Walnut
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Empire Seat For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Empire Seat?
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.
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