Retro Carver Chair
1950s English Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Bauhaus Retro Carver Chair
Chrome
1950s Great Britain (UK) Art Deco Retro Carver Chair
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Rosewood
1950s English Georgian Retro Carver Chair
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Teak
Mid-20th Century English Retro Carver Chair
Brass
Late 20th Century English Country Retro Carver Chair
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Beech
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Fabric, Beech
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Elm
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Retro Carver Chair
Pine
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Bouclé, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Bouclé, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Teak
Late 20th Century English Victorian Retro Carver Chair
Rush, Oak
Late 20th Century British Georgian Retro Carver Chair
Oak
Late 20th Century American Retro Carver Chair
Wood
1950s English Retro Carver Chair
Wood
Late 20th Century British Retro Carver Chair
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Faux Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Faux Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Retro Carver Chair
Metal
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Papercord, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Fabric, Rosewood
1980s American Regency Retro Carver Chair
Brass, Steel
1970s Italian Retro Carver Chair
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Queen Anne Retro Carver Chair
Walnut
1960s English Queen Anne Retro Carver Chair
Walnut
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Teak
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Oak
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Retro Carver Chair
Beech, Lacquer
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Retro Carver Chair
Velvet, Oak
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Wood, Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Teak
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Elm
Mid-20th Century Great Britain (UK) Regency Retro Carver Chair
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Teak
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Elm
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Teak
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Elm
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Walnut
1980s English Regency Retro Carver Chair
Velvet, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Teak
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Carver Chair
Wood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Pine
Mid-20th Century Swedish Gustavian Retro Carver Chair
Birch
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Carver Chair
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Retro Carver Chair
Pine
- 1
Retro Carver Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Retro Carver 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.
- What is a carver chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 5, 2020
A carver chair is a dining chair with arms. It is sometimes called an elbow chair. Vintage carver chairs were often made in pairs as a part of a set of dining chairs. Reproductions of antique carver chairs are also very popular.
- Why is it called a carver chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
A theory about how carver chairs got their name is that the “master of the household” would sit at the head of the dining table and carve the meat that would be served for dinner. A widely reported origin story for the carver chair is that the name references a Pilgrim named John Carver, who was the founder of the Plymouth colony of Massachusetts in the United States. Carver is said to have owned a dining chair with armrests. This theory has been challenged, however, as John Carver may have died before the first carver chairs were made.
- Is carver chair a brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
Carver chairs do not refer to a specific furniture brand — a carver chair is a generic kind of dining chair, although it features the added comfort of armrests. Vintage carver dining chairs and antique carver chairs are frequently requested at furniture stores around the United States as a staple of the American household.
- Where can I buy a carver chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
Many stores sell carver chairs, and antique carver chairs can typically be found in secondhand/vintage shops across the country. Simple and comfortable, the carver chair is one of the most popular dining chairs in the United States. Here at 1stDibs, there are many different styles of carver chairs for sale.
- What does Carver chair mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Carver chair is a type of seating crafted out of wood. Normally, the backs feature curved rails and may feature cutouts or spindles. Arms generally slope downwards and have only front supports. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Carver chairs.
- What is a carver dining chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A carver dining chair is a kind of spool chair with legs rising above the seat level to frame the back and support the armrests. A theory about how carver chairs got their name is that the “master of the household” would sit at the head of the dining table and carve the meat that would be served for dinner. A widely reported origin story for the carver chair is that the name references a Pilgrim named John Carver, who was the founder of the Plymouth colony of Massachusetts in the United States. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique and vintage carver chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024No one knows for sure why some dining chairs with arms are called carvers. However, it likely relates to the historical use of these chairs. Technically, carver is the nickname for a specific type of dining chair with arms, not for all dining armchairs. A Colonial American design, a carver chair features a backrest that wraps around the sides and forms arms. Traditionally, the carver chair went at the head of the table, and often the family member responsible for carving the primary entrée sat at this place. As a result, the chair's purpose for seating the carver of the meal is one potential explanation for the nickname. Another is that the name comes from John Carver, the governor of the Plymouth Colony. Reportedly, Carver owned one of these chairs, and people began referring to them by his name as a result. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of carver chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
The design has changed over the years, but most antique carver chairs were made of wood. Antique carver chairs were wide chairs made in 17th century New England — with backs that featured several supporting spindles — although there were no spindles between the armrests and the seat. Antique carver chairs were typically topped with decorative ornaments.
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