Empire Seat
Antique 1880s French Neoclassical Chairs
Walnut
20th Century Chinese Figurative Sculptures
Resin, Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Empire Benches
Fabric
Antique 19th Century French Empire Stools
Hardwood
Antique 1880s Swedish Empire Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
20th Century Italian Benches
Wood, Cane
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Antique 19th Century American Empire Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Empire Benches
Fabric, Beech
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Footstools
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Empire Table Lamps
Antique 1880s French Empire Armchairs
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Empire Sofas
Fabric
Late 20th Century Empire Benches
Leather, Hardwood
Antique Late 19th Century American Empire Stools
Walnut, Upholstery
20th Century American Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Italian Stools
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century French Empire Antiquities
Plaster
Antique 1820s American American Empire Benches
Maple, Pine
Antique 19th Century French Clocks
Malachite, Bronze
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Walnut, Chenille, Upholstery
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Muslin, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Vintage 1940s American Armchairs
Wood, Leather
Antique 19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Regency Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Slipper Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1940s French Empire Armchairs
Wrought Iron
Antique 1870s French Empire Dining Room Sets
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Empire Revival Stools
Birch
Vintage 1930s Argentine Benches
Wood, Fabric
Antique 1890s French Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Armchairs
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Urns
Marble, Bronze
Antique Early 1900s Ethiopian Tribal Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Empire Benches
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Chairs
Straw, Walnut
Late 20th Century French Empire Benches
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Benches
Fabric, Ebony, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Chairs
Tapestry, Mahogany, Burl
Antique 19th Century North American Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century North American Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany, Acrylic
Antique Early 19th Century European Empire Benches
Brass
Late 20th Century Empire Armchairs
Upholstery, Birch
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Empire Stools
Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Renaissance Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
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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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