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Chairs

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Chairs For Sale
Place of Origin: European
Place of Origin: African
Ghidini 1961 Katana Lounge Chair in Leather and Burnished Brass, Paolo Rizzatto
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
In the Katana sofa, Paolo Rizzatto, being the refined and expert designer he is, puts great care in the proportions of the structural elements of the produ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Modern Dining Chair Gropius CS2 in Cotton-Linen fabric with Ash legs by NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
New Noom furniture collection is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus School in Germany. Ideas of functionalism and conciseness, the combination of Craft...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Sheepskin, Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Faux Fur, Polyes...

Six French Dining Chairs Walnut Chairs Rush Seats Provincial Style, circa 1970
Located in Labrit, Landes
Straw and walnut chairs made in Dordogne. Artisanal work with local walnut, the production of walnuts being one of the local specialties of the region. A charming set of six French provincial chairs made in the 1970s. The rush seats and backs are in excellent condition. A set of dining chairs that would make a fabulous addition to a breakfast or dining room or conservatory. Shipping: L 140 P 60...
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Chairs

Materials

Rush, Walnut

1980s Knoll Jorge Pensi Amat Toledo Chair Spain Postmodern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Toledo chair stackable designed by Jorge Pensi for Amat 3 Spain for Knoll Organic and streamlined shape lightweight cast aluminum. Unmarked. Dye cast alum...
Category

1980s Spanish Post-Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Riccardo Blumer Alias 301 Laleggera 32 Stacking Maple Chairs with steel trolleys
Located in London, GB
32 x Ricardo Blumer for Alias 301 Laleggera model '301' lightweight stacking chairs, all priced individually (£250 per chair) There are 5 x steel troll...
Category

Early 2000s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Pierre Paulin Boston Garden Chairs for Henry Massonnet in Black and Red
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Boston garden chairs by French furniture designer Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Henry Massonnet/STAMP in 1988. Paulin was influenced here by (and ...
Category

1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Contemporary Elodie Dining Chair in Champagne Pearlized Leather with Walnut Legs
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
A sophisticated and simple silhouette with beautifully detailed flutes. This dining or occasional chair effortlessly appeals. Shown here: upholstered in half grain pearlized...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Mid Century Leopard Velvet Chair, Walnut Wood, Rajmund Halas, Poland, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Chair designed by Prof. Rajmund Halas. Made of beechwood. Chair is after a complete upholstery renovation, the woodwork has been refreshed. Seat is dressed in leopard, durable and pl...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Beech

DOOQ! New! Modern! Cindy Chair without arms in Red
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
DOOQ! NEW! Organic Modernist Cindy chair without arms Introducing Cindy, our latest addition embodying the essence of the new wave movement. With its sleek design and fluid lines, C...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Charlotte Perriand Berger Wood Stool by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool model Berger designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1953-61. Relaunched by Cassina in 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Reclaiming simple materials and basic shapes, with an eye to architecture and mountain life, led to the creation of two historic design low table-stools inspired respectively by the milking stool used by mountain shepherds in the French town much loved by the author. Placed individually or in lively arrangements, the two low tables bring the pleasing lightness of solid wood to indoor settings emphasized by the continuity of the grain between the top and the edges and the countless natural variations in the wood. Each piece is made of unique solid wood, so every piece will be different from one another and not exactly as the one on the photos. Both pieces are inspired by the mountains. While the latter takes its name from the milking-stool used by alpine shepherds, the former is inspired by the French locality much loved by designer and architect Charlotte Perriand. These furnishing accessories stand out for the honesty of their simple shapes and for the concrete expression of their materials and function. The turned seat meets the stylised legs both in the Tabouret...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Wicker Shell Armchair on Metal Base French, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
French chair made in wicker in the 20th mid-century on a black painted base. Good condition with few gaps Shipping: 69 / 70 / 72 cm 5.4 kg.     
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Iron

Chair, Bentwood 1960s, 1 of 3
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Chair, Thonet Style, Bentwood, Cane - beautiful patina Period: 1960s Materials: Bentwood, Cane (new cane seat) Condition: solid, signs of use, undamaged Colour: Wood Dimensions:...
Category

1960s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Cane, Hardwood, Bentwood

Chair, Bentwood 1960s, 1 of 3
Chair, Bentwood 1960s, 1 of 3
$252 Sale Price / item
33% Off
Folia - Sculptural Chair in Off-White Finish with Organic Silhouette
Located in Porto, PT
The Folia Chair, in its refined off-white finish, embodies the seamless union of sculptural beauty and functional design. Crafted with exceptional attention to detail, its flowing si...
Category

2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Set of 8 Modern Dining Archipen Chair in Natural Leather "Cashmere" by Noom
Located in Paris, FR
The Archipen Chair by NOOM is a winner of the NYCxDESIGN Awards in the contract seating category. It’s a contemporary design wooden dining chair with sculptural appeal, inspired by U...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Chairs

Materials

Faux Fur, Linen, Cotton, Sheepskin, Leather, Ash, Wood, Acrylic, Faux Le...

Contemporary Flock Dining Chair CS2 Fluffy Edition in Faux Fur by NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
The "Flock" collection embodies the idea that home should be a haven of comfort, a sanctuary, and a gathering place adorned with personalized, character-rich, and visually striking s...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Velvet, Faux Fur, Ash

Customizable Artifort Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
A completely upholstered design by Pierre Paulin from 1966 and a professional, innovative vision on the well-known ribbon form. Metal frame with horizontal springs, covered with foam...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile

Angelo Mangiarotti Italian Leather and Wood Dining Chairs for Agapecasa
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian dining chairs model 3T designed by Angelo mangiarotti from 1978 made of traditional materials like wood and leather feauturing simple but elegant constuction details. New pr...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Cees Braakman for Pastoe Set of Six SM08 Dining Chairs in Black Leather.
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful vintage set of six SM08 dining chairs in black leather designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950's. In original good condition with some signs of use. This is a rare editi...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Metal

Florentine Savonarola Chair, all hand Carved Walnut Restored and Wax polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Important Original Florentine Renaissance Savonarola chair in carved walnut polished to wax. Armrests ending with two finely hand-carved heads of lion: type of finish produced to in...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Renaissance Revival Savonarola Chair in Carved Walnut Restored and Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Renaissance Savonarola chair in carved walnut restored and wax polished. Attributable : Fratelli Bonciani – Cascina. About: Savonarola chair The term derives from the chair on...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Dining Archipen Chair in Polyester Boucle with ash legs painted in RAL by NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
The Archipen Chair by NOOM is a winner of the NYCxDESIGN Awards in the contract seating category. It’s a contemporary design wooden dining chair with sculptural appeal, inspired by U...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Chairs

Materials

Leather, Ash, Wood, Acrylic, Faux Leather, Bouclé, Alpaca, Wool, Fabric

Pair of Industrial Elmar Flötotto for Pagholz Galvanitas Stacking Chairs
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of industrial Pagholz Galvanitas stacking chairs model S23 Thur-Up Seat by Elmar Flötotto, circa 1970. This beautiful design from the 1970s with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Art Nouveau Set of Ten Chairs in Solid Oak. Vienna, Circa 1910.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, These exceptional set of ten Viennese Art Nouveau solid oak chairs from circa 1910 represent a high level of craftsmanship and elegant design. Viennese Art Nouveau is a trend...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Six curved bamboo chairs by Axel Enthoven for Rohe
Located in Milano, IT
Superb Set of 6 Dining Chairs by Axel Enthoven for Rohé, 1970s - Sculptural Bentwood, Embracing Comfort, and Playful Sophistication Bring design, character, and personality to the t...
Category

1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo

Gio Ponti Natural Aswood Superleggera Chair For Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gio Ponti Natural Aswood Superleggera Chair For Cassina Manufactured since 1957, the 699 Superleggera wood chair is the rare combination of the architect’s innovative quest and the ...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Rattan, Ash

Chair by Thonet, No. 18 "Wide" 1970s, 1 of 3
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Bentwood cane Thonet No. 18 dining chair "Wide" in great vintage condition (well preserved). Chairs are lightly refreshed and the cane on two chairs was replaced with new webbing. ...
Category

1970s Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Cane, Hardwood, Bentwood

Baba Set of 2 Walnut Chairs by Sergio Mian
Located in Milan, IT
These iconic, copyrighted designs by Sergio Mian was made famous after Clint Eastwood's memorable speech to an empty seat at the 2012 Republican National Convention. A mix of style, ...
Category

2010s Italian Chairs

Materials

Metal

Original Restored Danish Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen in Natural Sheepskin
Located in Bronx, NY
Original Restored Danish Clam Chair in Natural Sheepskin by Arnold Madsen d. 1950 Condition: Excellent Reupholstered. Repaired: Legs, armrests and frame have all been fully restored...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin, Walnut

Antique French Chair Gothic Revival Bishops Throne Altar Chair Cushion Oak 19thC
Located in Tyler, TX
OUTSTANDING Antique French Oak GOTHIC REVIVAL Bishops Throne Altar Chair with Reversible Liturgical Cushion~~HIGHLY CARVED ~~c. 1880s Highly detailed Gothic accents~~the m...
Category

Late 19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Chairs

Materials

Oak

Two rare beautiful original 1960s bamboo chairs from Italy
Located in München, DE
Two very beautiful, rare, original 1960s bamboo chairs. Gorgeous, great design. Made in Italy. Made entirely of bamboo and with great care. The chairs are in very good condition, wit...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Bamboo

Rustic Swedish Pine Chair, Carl Malmsten Style, Early 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A rare rustic dining / office chair in stained pine. Made in the style of Carl Malmsten "Skedblad" in the early 1900s. It has an incredibly strong character, with its rounded shape...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Pine

Set of 8 Clear Lucite Chrome Frame "Plia" Italian Chairs for Castelli, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Original and signed set of 8 "Plia" clear lucite with chrome frame folding chairs. This fantastic set was designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli in 1967. These folding chairs a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Enamel

Antique Primitive Arm Rash Chair from France
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This primitive armchair was made in the French countryside in the 19th century. Characterized by its rustic wood grain and rush-woven seat, it is a typical example of furniture roote...
Category

Late 19th Century French Primitive Antique Chairs

Materials

Rush, Wood

Pair of Period Gustavian Chairs in Original Paint, Sweden, Late 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming pair of Swedish Gustavian side chairs from the late 18th century, each scraped back to reveal traces of their original soft grayish-white paint, now beautifully timeworn a...
Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Chairs

Materials

Pine

Set of Eight 20th Century French Mutton Leg Side Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
This set of eight 20th-century French mutton-leg side chairs features a classic design inspired by Louis XIII aesthetics. Crafted from walnut, a wood prized for its strength and rich...
Category

20th Century French Louis XIII Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Arches II Dining Chair, Walnut Tan, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Arches II dining chair is designed in the likeness of the architectural scale that suggests a crossing through the structures of a utopian city, organized by the principles of sy...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

Set of Two Mid Century Baby Blue Velvet and Medium Wood Chairs, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Chairs designed by prof. Rajmund Halas. They have been made of beechwood. They have undergone a complete upholstery renovation, the woodwork has been refreshed. Seats were dressed in...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of 6 Cesca Chairs by Marcel Breuer, Mid-Century Modern Metal Wood Classic
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Introducing this exceptional set of 6 Cesca chairs, designed by the renowned Marcel Breuer and manufactured in Italy, circa 1960. These iconic Mid-Century Modern chairs showcase a pe...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of 4 Cane and Chrome "Plia" Italian Chairs, Piretti for Castelli, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous set of 4 original and signed Cane "Plia" folding chairs in Vienna straw wicker and chrome. These iconic Italian chairs were designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli in the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Afra Tobia Scarpa for Molteni Pair of Monk Dining Chairs in Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, pair of 'Monk' dining chairs, walnut, patinated leather, Italy, 1974. Pair of 'Monk' chairs by Italian designers Afra & Tobia Scarpa. The cognac lea...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Mid Century Modern Orange Orange Slice Chair by Pierre Paulin
Located in Dronten, NL
Artifort Model F437, or more famously nicknamed the Orange Slice Chair, was designed by French designer Pierre Paulin for the Dutch manufacturer Artifort in Maastricht in the mid 20t...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand LC1 Chair by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand in 1928. Relaunched in 1965. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. A light, compact chair designed and presented ...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of Six Early 20th Century Bentwood Chairs with Cane Seats
Located in Barcelona, ES
Add a touch of vintage elegance to your home with this exquisite set of six early 20th century bentwood chairs. Manufactured in Vale...
Category

1940s Spanish Arts and Crafts Vintage Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

CAB Chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
The CAB chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1977 for Cassina, Italy. Mario Bellini (1935) is an Italian designer and architect. The chair has a skeleton in tubular steel and the ...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pierre Jeanneret 051 Capitol Complex Office Chair with Cushion by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Pierre Jeanneret circa 1950, relaunched in 2019. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. This chair is one of the most recognizable in Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex, f...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

Set of 4 Bamboo Chairs by Maison Louis Drucker in Ruby Red, Bottle Green, White
By Maison Louis Drucker
Located in Hamburg, DE
4 no light rattan / bamboo arm chairs hand crafted by Maison Louis Drucker Paris: inversé weaving pattern in Colors Ruby Red , Bottle Green and W...
Category

Late 20th Century French Organic Modern Chairs

Materials

Rattan

Set of 4 Polished Brass Chiavari Chairs with Red Velvet, Italy
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Set of 4 stunning Italian polished brass Chiavari chairs with bat motif and red velvet original upholstery, circa 1950s. Designed by Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi and produced since the ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Chairs

Materials

Brass

Paire of Rope and Dark Oak Side Chairs in the Style of Jourdain, France, 1940 s
Located in New York, NY
Minimalist all-oak and intricate woven rope pair of side chairs. In the style of Francis Jourdain. Can be used in a living room or individually as office chairs. Fair vintage condit...
Category

1940s French Vintage Chairs

Materials

Rope, Oak

Mid Century Gray Boucle Chair Designed by Rajmund Halas, Poland, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Light form nice vintage chair designed by Prof. Rajmund Halas. It has been made of beechwood. Designed and produced in Poland. Chair is after undergone a...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Textile, Velvet, Beech, Bouclé

Folia – Sculptural Brass Chair with Organic Form and Gold Finish
Located in Porto, PT
The Folia Chair is a sculptural expression of refined design, where form and function converge with poetic precision. Carefully handcrafted in brass with a gold finish, it draws insp...
Category

2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair Of French Art Deco Cerused Oak Chairs Attributed to Rene Gabriel C.1940
Located in Bernville, PA
Pair of French Art Deco Cerused Oak Lounge Chairs, by Rene Gabriel (attribution), France circa 1930’s-1940’s, newly re-caned, wear to finish, structurally sound. 28 inches high, 25 i...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Chairs

Materials

Oak

19th Century English Captain s Chair
Located in High Point, NC
19th century captain's chair from England. The chair is made from oak and has a seat made from elm. This type of chair was made for sitting for long periods of time and is very com...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Chairs

Materials

Elm, Oak

Expertly Restored - Mid-Century Desk Chair by Ariberto Colombo for Ico Parisi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mohair, Foam, Wood, Beech

Charles Rennie Mackintosh 292 Hill House Chair by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1902. Relaunched in 1973. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. This iconic chair reflects Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s style and his fearless approach to the most challenging manufacturing processes. Originally a furnishing accessory for one of Mackintosh’s major design projects, Hill House in Helensburgh, near Glasgow, Scotland, from which its name derives. The linear, geometric form is evocative of the minimal, abstract lines of Japanese graphics, which confer symbolic and figurative symbolic value to the piece’s striking visual impact. This piece is seen by many critics as not only a chair but also a veritable treatise on the way space can be articulated. The tall back is defined by a succession of vertical lines that are topped with a grid of verticals and horizontals. Thanks to the mastery of the furnitire makers of Meda, in the Brianza area north of Milan, Cassina has re-issued the Hill House chair...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Set of 8 Mid Century Dining Chairs by Antonin Šuman, Customizable Upholstery
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This set of eight vintage dining chairs was designed by Czech designer Antonin Šuman in the 1960s. The chairs have been completely restored, stained to chocolate brown color to even ...
Category

1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Bentwood, Walnut

Pierre Jeanneret 051 Capitol Complex Office Chair with Cushion by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Pierre Jeanneret circa 1950, relaunched in 2019. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. This chair is one of the most recognisable in Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex, f...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

Charlotte Perriand LC7 Leather Chair by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Leather upholstered LC7 chair designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1927. Relaunched in 1978. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Designed by Charlotte Perriand and part of the LC coll...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Palace Wood Chair, by George Sowden for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Palace chair in colored lacquered wood, designed in 1983, by George Sowden. George Sowden was born in Leeds, UK in 1942. He studied architecture at Glou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Garden Egg Chairs by Peter Ghyczy for Reuters
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
We have two of these original vintage Garden Egg chairs in white with black cushions, designed for use indoors and outdoors by Peter Ghyczy for Reuters in the former East Germany, pr...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Space Age Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Post Modern Black Leather UNO chairs with chrome tube frame Archizoom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Black leather and tubular cantilever chrome "Uno" chair made by Marcatre and designed in 1973 by Paolo Deganella and Gilberto Corretti members of the Italian "Archizoom" group in Flo...
Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Shop Antique and Vintage Chairs on 1stDibs: Lounge Chairs, Dining Chairs and Other Seating for Sale

Chairs are an indispensable component of your home and office. Can you imagine your life without the vintage, new or antique chairs you love?

With the exception of rocking chairs, the majority of the seating in our homes today — Windsor chairs, chaise longues, wingback chairs — originated in either England or France. Art Nouveau chairs, the style of which also originated in those regions, embraced the inherent magnificence of the natural world with decorative flourishes and refined designs that blended both curved and geometric contour lines. While craftsmanship and styles have evolved in the past century, chairs have had a singular significance in our lives, no matter what your favorite chair looks like.

“The chair is the piece of furniture that is closest to human beings,” said Hans Wegner. The revered Danish cabinetmaker and furniture designer was prolific, having designed nearly 500 chairs over the course of his lifetime. His beloved designs include the Wishbone chair, the wingback Papa Bear chair and many more.

Other designers of Scandinavian modernist chairs introduced new dynamics to this staple with sculptural flowing lines, curvaceous shapes and efficient functionality. The Paimio armchair, Swan chair and Panton chair are vintage works of Finnish and Danish seating that left an indelible mark on the history of good furniture design.

“What works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts,” said Ray Eames

Visionary polymaths Ray and Charles Eames experimented with bent plywood and fiberglass with the goal of producing affordable furniture for a mass market. Like other celebrated mid-century modern furniture designers of elegant low-profile furnishings — among them Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Finn Juhl — the Eameses considered ergonomic support, durability and cost, all of which should be top of mind when shopping for the perfect chair. The mid-century years yielded many popular chairs.

The Eameses introduced numerous icons for manufacturer Herman Miller, such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, molded plywood dining chairs the DCM and DCW (which can be artfully mismatched around your dining table) and a wealth of other treasured pieces for the home and office. 

A good chair anchors us to a place and can become an object of timeless appeal. Take a seat and browse the rich variety of vintage, new and antique chairs on 1stDibs today. 

Read More

The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs

You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.

Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?

From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.

Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire

What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.

Kaleidoscopic Upholstery Makes This Edward Wormley Chair a Showstopper

What at first glance seems an unusual choice jibes perfectly with the designer's aesthetic.

Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs

If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.

How to Reupholster a Chair

Want to update an old chair that still has good bones? We spoke to experts to find out how they approach reupholstering antique furniture.

How to Spot Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI Chairs

A field guide for anyone who wants to brush up on their knowledge of French antiques

The Ball Chair, Eero Aarnio’s Space Age Masterpiece, Was Almost Never Made

Now considered emblematic of 1960s mod aesthetics, the Finnish designer's famous creation was far from an overnight success.

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