Museum Chair
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Country Windsor Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Side Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century American Federal Slipper Chairs
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Plywood, Upholstery
Late 20th Century French Armchairs
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Armchairs
Wrought Iron, Metal
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Late 20th Century Italian Armchairs
Lucite, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Armchairs
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 17th Century Indian Furniture
Cane, Ebony
Antique Early 18th Century English William and Mary Armchairs
Beech, Cane
21st Century and Contemporary English Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Amethyst, Bronze
2010s English Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Amethyst, Bronze
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Armchairs
21st Century and Contemporary English Console Tables
Bronze
2010s Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Agate, Bronze
2010s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Gold Leaf, Bronze
Antique Late 18th Century French Directoire Armchairs
Beech
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Silver
Vintage 1920s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood, Burl
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Papercord, Birch, Oak
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Naugahyde, Oak
1990s American Modern Chairs
Maple
Vintage 1960s Italian Industrial Chairs
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Models and Miniatures
Steel
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Models and Miniatures
Bronze
Vintage 1910s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Copper
2010s Great Britain (UK) Console Tables
Bronze
Vintage 1980s British Wall Lights and Sconces
Copper
1990s English Garniture
Bronze
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Walnut
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Museum Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Museum Chair?
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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