Splat Back
20th Century Unknown Gustavian Benches
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century British Aesthetic Movement Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century Queen Anne Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1910s Scottish Chairs
Oak
Antique 1830s English William IV Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century British Regency Side Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Chinese Furniture
Antique 18th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Irish Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 18th Century Chinese Furniture
20th Century Chippendale Settees
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Windsor Chairs
Elm, Yew
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Armchairs
Bamboo
Antique 18th Century Italian Chinoiserie Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1890s English Benches
Antique 19th Century Italian Directoire Side Chairs
20th Century Side Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique 18th Century Chinese Furniture
Antique 1820s French Armchairs
Rush, Walnut
20th Century English Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Antique 1770s Armchairs
Antique Early 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Chairs
Padouk
20th Century Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century British Rococo Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s British Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century Chinese Armchairs
Elm, Paint
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Side Chairs
Hardwood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Dining Room Chairs
Iron
Late 20th Century Italian Country Armchairs
Wood, Rush, Paint
Antique 19th Century Benches
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Mahogany, Fabric
Antique 19th Century British Regency Chairs
Antique 1810s British George III Windsor Chairs
Elm, Yew
20th Century German Side Chairs
Walnut
20th Century Belgian Corner Chairs
Oak
Antique Early 18th Century English George II Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Chinese Armchairs
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Antique 1810s Side Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Ash
Antique Mid-19th Century Queen Anne Side Chairs
20th Century Chinese Furniture
Hardwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Chairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century English Chippendale Armchairs
Lacquer
Antique 19th Century Chinese Furniture
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Settees
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
Antique Early 18th Century Great Britain (UK) George I Side Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Italian Empire Side Chairs
Fruitwood
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Beech, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Black Forest Armchairs
Fruitwood, Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Armchairs
Walnut
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Splat Back For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Splat Back?
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 splat back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A splat back chair is a chair with a vertical central element on its back. Splat back chairs have more of a formal feel to them compared to other types of chairs and seating. Splat back Windsor chairs are popular on 1stDibs.
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