Splat Back
Antique 19th Century Italian Side Chairs
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Side Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1940s French Modern Dining Room Chairs
Antique Late 18th Century English Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s North American Chinese Export Chairs
Rosewood
Antique 19th Century English Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century British Stools
Yew
Antique Early 1800s French Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Chippendale Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Armchairs
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Italian Armchairs
Antique Late 19th Century American Empire Children s Furniture
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Wood
Antique Early 1900s French Armchairs
Hide, Wood
Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century English George III Settees
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Swedish Empire Armchairs
Late 20th Century Unknown Queen Anne Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Paint, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century Swedish Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Settees
Mahogany
20th Century Other Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Norwegian Side Chairs
Vintage 1960s American Dining Room Chairs
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Argentine Sofa Tables
Wood, Glass
Antique 19th Century American Empire Dining Room Chairs
Burlap, Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s Chippendale Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s American Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1960s Italian Side Chairs
Wood
Antique 1880s Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century English Hepplewhite Armchairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Chairs
Elm
Antique 1780s Chinese Chinese Export Corner Chairs
Other
Antique Mid-18th Century Irish Armchairs
Suede, Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Chippendale Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Giltwood, Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Celadon
Antique 18th Century Italian Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century European Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Elm
20th Century English Armchairs
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Side Chairs
Pine
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Side Chairs
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Chairs
Bone, Hardwood
Antique 19th Century Austrian Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Art Nouveau Settees
Antique Mid-18th Century Northern Irish Chairs
Silk, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Side Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s French Armchairs
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Chairs
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs
Elm
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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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