Empire Seat
20th Century Empire Chairs
Mohair, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Antique 19th Century British Empire Bergere Chairs
Leather, Cane, Beech
Antique Early 1900s French Empire Armchairs
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Footstools
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Benches
Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood
1990s Italian Empire Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Benches
Bronze
Antique 19th Century British Empire Chairs
Leather, Cane, Beech
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Walnut, Chenille, Upholstery
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Revival Sofas
Metal, Iron
Antique 1810s American American Empire Settees
Cane, Pine, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Armchairs
Upholstery, Birch
Antique 1870s Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Sofas
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century Art Deco Busts
Alabaster
Antique Mid-19th Century Belgian Romantic Paintings
Mahogany
20th Century French Art Deco Stools
Fruitwood, Amboyna
Antique 19th Century Swedish Benches
Antique 19th Century Swedish Benches
Antique 19th Century Swedish Benches
with scrolling handles and ebonized buttons
upholstered in a gorgeous amber pony hair from Holly Hunt
terminating to saber legs
Antique 19th Century Swedish Benches
20th Century Empire Benches
Cane, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Sofas
Brass
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Antique 19th Century French First Empire Clocks
Enamel, Steel, Brass, Bronze
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
Antique 1820s French Second Empire Clocks
Enamel, Steel, Bronze
Early 20th Century Armchairs
Wood, Cane
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 1810s French Empire Dining Room Tables
Walnut
Antique 1870s French Empire Benches
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century American Benches
Mahogany, Silk
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Wood, Upholstery
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Antique 19th Century Russian Benches
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Architectural Elements
Oak
Late 20th Century American Empire Lounge Chairs
Palmwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French First Empire Dining Room Chairs
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Paintings
Panel
Vintage 1920s French Empire Dining Room Tables
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Revival Stools
Iron, Bronze
20th Century French Empire Revival Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Empire Side Chairs
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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