Navajo Chair
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Sofas
Leather, Palmwood
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Armchairs
Leather, Palmwood
Antique Early 19th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects
Elm
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Cotton, Rush, Cherry
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary American Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Textile, Hickory
Late 20th Century Australian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Palmwood
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects
Linen, Wool
Late 20th Century American Modern Armchairs
Textile, Wool
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Cotton, Rush, Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary Fijian Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Palmwood
2010s New Zealand Rustic Sofas
Leather, Palmwood
Antique Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Side Chairs
Oak, Wool
21st Century and Contemporary American Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Textile, Hickory
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Leather, Palmwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Leather, Textile
Late 20th Century American Navajo Club Chairs
Late 20th Century Dutch Kilim Chairs
Upholstery
20th Century American Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Wire
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Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Linen, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Dining Room Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Center Tables
Wood
2010s American Modern Stools
Wood, Oak
2010s French Other Stools
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Wood, Fabric, Linen, Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights an...
Metal
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Plastic, Velvet
Vintage 1950s Czech Art Deco Armchairs
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pillows and Throws
Velvet
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood, Linen, Fiberglass
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Oak, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
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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