Splat Back
Antique 1860s English Chairs
Leather, Oak
Antique 19th Century Austrian Side Chairs
Wood, Fabric
20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Austrian Biedermeier Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Corner Chairs
Fruitwood
Antique Mid-19th Century English Armchairs
Elm, Yew
Vintage 1970s American Sheraton Canapes
Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century American Side Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Furniture
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Antique 1830s British William IV Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Canadian Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Armchairs
Antique 18th Century English Chippendale Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Side Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Sofas
Wood, Paint, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Indian Armchairs
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Antique 19th Century Dining Room Chairs
Antique 1720s English Queen Anne Armchairs
Elm
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Armchairs
Other
Antique 1780s Northern Irish Chairs
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Armchairs
Antique 19th Century Chinese Armchairs
Bamboo, Lacquer
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Paint, Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Armchairs
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Side Chairs
Cane, Wood
20th Century Chairs
Wood
20th Century Side Chairs
20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique 1790s Swedish Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Silk, Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century Italian Side Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century European Armchairs
Wood
Early 20th Century English Sheraton Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century English Chairs
Wood
20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Lacquer
Antique 1860s Scottish Early Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Oak
Antique 19th Century Chinese Armchairs
Bamboo, Lacquer
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Chairs
Elm, Ash, Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Side Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Armchairs
Upholstery
Antique 1820s English Regency Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s American Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1940s French Modern Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique Mid-18th Century American Queen Anne Side Chairs
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
20th Century French Armchairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
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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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