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Butterfly Wingback Chairs

1940's Mid-Century Modern Butterfly Wingback Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
These butterfly wing backs are just gorgeous. Each chair represents a truly novel twist on the
Category

Vintage 1940s English Hollywood Regency Wingback Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Butterfly Wingback Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
In the style of Paolo Buffa, this 1950;s butterfly wing back chair has been restored and newly
Category

Vintage 1950s European Hollywood Regency Club Chairs

Materials

Linen, Mahogany

Modern Leather ButterFLY Swing Chair in Brown
By Joanina and David Pastoll
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
The timeless Butterfly Chair is a classic that has stood the test of time for over 80 years. Its
Category

2010s South African Modern Wingback Chairs

Materials

Steel

Exaggerated Butterfly Back Wing Chair, Circa 1940
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Rochester, NY
Exaggerated butterfly back wing chair w/ tapered mahogany legs / brass tacking at wood accented
Category

Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Wingback Chairs

Materials

Brass

Modern Black Leather ButterFLY Hanging Swing Chair with Red Detail
By Joanina and David Pastoll
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
The timeless Butterfly Chair is a classic that has stood the test of time for over 80 years. Its
Category

2010s South African Modern Wingback Chairs

Materials

Steel

Handsome, Mid-Century, Stacking Fritz Hansen Style Wingback Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fritz Hansen butterfly style teak toned wingback stacking chairs. Beautifully curved shell seat
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

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Dorothy Draper Outdoor Wrought Iron Garden Chairs
By Dorothy Draper, Salterini
Located in Cumberland, RI
Dorothy draper outdoor wrought ion garden chairs A Pair of Peacock style garden chairs available now and ready to ship. Pierced Metal Filagree Seat with Scrolled Back gives these ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of English Colonial Peacock & Floral Decorated Wing Back Chairs 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Reliable Professional Service & Fully Insured*** Pair of English Colonial Peacock & Floral Decorated Wing Back Chairs 20thC Measures -...
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20th Century British Colonial Wingback Chairs

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Upholstery

1970s Queen Anne Style Wing-Back Chairs in a Cream Swiss Floral Fabric, a Pair
By Columbus Hickory Furniture Co.
Located in Germantown, MD
Stunning pair of vintage Queen-Anne style wing-back chairs in a neutral cream Swiss dot fabric. (I believe the maker is Hickory, but the label is not on as they have been reupholster...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Queen Anne Wingback Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Set of Six Neoclassical Style Gilt Dining Chairs After Versace
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning set of six shiny gold dining chairs after Versace. The chairs feature thick gilt metal or gilded metal frames made in the neoclassical taste. The chair backs have greek colu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of French Louis XVI Style Walnut Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand pair of French armchairs featuring hand-carved walnut frames with an open arm. Made in the Louis XVI manner and style with neoclassical acanthus leaves and rosettes on the tops...
Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Black Leather 'CAB' Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic leather CAB chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Great patina to leather. Excellent vintage condition. Priced individually.
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Vintage 1980s American Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

Hollywood Regency Tuxedo Loveseat Exotic Upholstery Mythological Fauns Seascape
Located in Rochester, NY
Hollywood Regency tuxedo form loveseat w/ an exotic vintage stitched quilted design cotton upholstery in overall decoration showing mythological faun figures, fish, shell in scenic ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Loveseats

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Rare English Victorian Mahogany Reclining Library Chair, circa 1840
Located in Salisbury, GB
This rare Victorian mahogany reclining library chair was made circa 1840. The mahogany frame with the sliding footrest that is stored under the chair, then slides out on a runner ...
Category

Antique 1830s English Victorian Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Chinese Chippendale Style Upholstered Wingback Chairs- Pair
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company, Henredon, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
A pair of very sweet George III Chippendale style armchairs in Sage green textured diamonds Chenille upholstery with Chinese Chippendale fretwork to the Mahogany bases with H stretch...
Category

Late 20th Century American George III Wingback Chairs

Materials

Chenille, Mahogany

Modern Wicker Hump Back Red Floral Upholstered Loveseat
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a wonderful modern style double hump back wicker sofa with beautiful brown & cranberry variegated background & floral upholstery which has a tag from M.C, Interiors & Fabrics...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wicker

Pair of French Louis XVI Style Beechwood Fauteuil Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome pair of French fauteuil en cabriolet or armchairs made in the grand neoclassical Louis XVI taste. The chairs feature a carved beech molded frame with a flat, slanted back. T...
Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Set of Four French Louis XIII Style Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Magnificent dining chairs made in the French Louis XIII and French Louis XIV transitional taste. Featuring a dramatic Fortuny style upholstery with an urn motif in a bold citron-yell...
Category

20th Century Italian Louis XIII Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Giltwood, Wood

Set of Eight Brown Jordan Wicker Havana Garden Armchairs
By Brown Jordan
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare set of eight large patio and garden dining armchairs from the Havana Collection by Brown Jordan. The set features sturdy aluminum frames wrapped with woven resin wicker in styli...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Pair Red Leather Button Backed Wingback Armchairs 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an excellent vintage pair of English handmade red leather button backed wingback armchairs, dating from the late 20th century. They have deep buttoned backs, swept shaped ...
Category

Vintage 1980s English Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Vintage Mid Century Red Butterfly Canvas and Metal Chair by Knoll
By Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, Knoll
Located in Detroit, MI
This original vintage mid century modern Knoll (attr.) butterfly chair was originally designed by BKF Hardoy in 1938 in Argentina and later produced by Knoll. This iconic chair featu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Iron

2 Karges French Empire Regency Klismos Dining Arm Chairs Provincial
By Karges Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
Two vintage Karges French Empire dining arm or accent chairs. Painted white with gold carved accents, scrolled arms, brass plates, saber legs and red upholstery. Karges carefully ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Empire Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood, Paint

Recent Sales

Mid-Century Modern Butterfly Style Stackable Iron Framed Leather Chairs
Located in Culver City, CA
Mid-Century Modern butterfly style stackable iron framed leather chairs, original leather middle
Category

Mid-20th Century French Wingback Chairs

Materials

Iron

1940's American Butterfly Wingback Chairs Set of 2
Located in Pomona, CA
Pair of American butterfly wingback chairs. Newly upholstered in light gray color fabric.
Category

Vintage 1940s American Wingback Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Leather Italian Butterfly Wingback Lounge Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive pair of Italian mahogany butterfly shaped wingback lounge chairs or armchairs. The
Category

20th Century Italian Country Wingback Chairs

Materials

Brass

Handsome Pair of American 1940's Butterfly Wingback Arm Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Each with tall flared back above a tight seat flanked by scrolled arms with wood accents; raised on tapering square-form legs.
Category

Vintage 1940s North American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Mid-Century Style Leather Butterfly Wing Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sensational leather butterfly wing chair made by Williams Sonoma Home in the United States
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs

Materials

Brass

Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Set of 'Grand Prix' Dining Chairs
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
the Danish Museum of Decorative Art in 1957. The chairs feature wingbacks and have strong resemblances
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Butterfly Wingback Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Butterfly wing backs are just gorgeous. Restored and newly upholstered with brass nailhead
Category

Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Wingback Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

1950s Mid-Century Modern Butterfly Wingback Chairs, a Pair
By Edward Wormley
Located in Burbank, CA
Pair of 1950s Mid-Century Modern wingback chairs for sale. These are incredible, and have a
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs

Materials

Silk, Wood

1950s Mid-Century Modern Butterfly Royal Blue Wingback Chairs, a Pair
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a gorgeous, vintage pair of butterfly wingback chairs, circa the 1950s
Category

Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs

Materials

Hardwood, Fabric

Pair of Mid-century Modern Butterfly Wingback Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary pair of Mid-Century Modern wingback armchairs featuring hardwood frames with newly
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs

Materials

Brass

Louis XV Painted Wing Chair and Ottoman
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Spectacular wingback chair and ottoman newly upholstered in cream Irish linen featuring a painted
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood, Lacquer

Elegant Pair of Butterfly Wing Chairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Elegant Pair of Butterfly Wing Chairs. This is an antique pair England, Circa 1900 and are newly
Category

Antique 19th Century English Wingback Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of White Wing Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
* vintage * butterfly style wing chair * traditional curved lines * newly
Category

20th Century Wingback Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of White Wing Chairs
Pair of White Wing Chairs
H 43 in W 32 in D 29 in
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Finding the Right wingback-chairs for You

They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s.

Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace.

Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals, from mid-century modern spinoffs to playful contemporary adaptations (like the Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch, wherein the place of wings are furry ears — a cheeky send-up of Hans Wegner’s iconic mid-century Papa Bear chair).

Shop the most innovative versions of wingback chairs today on 1stDibs.

Questions About Butterfly Wingback Chairs
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    Wingback chairs are sometimes called fireside chairs, easy chairs or grandfather chairs. However, many people simply call them wingback chairs or wing chairs. The name comes from the two curved wings mounted on the sides of the backrest. On 1stDibs, find a variety of wingback chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    Whether a wingback chair is comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, many wingback chairs feature plush cushioning, and the tall backs can provide ample back support. A wingback’s protruding arms were initially designed to protect a sitter from drafts or intense heat from a fireplace. This may be obsolete in the 21st century, but the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals, from mid-century modern spin offs to playful contemporary adaptations (like the Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch, wherein the place of wings are furry ears — a cheeky send-up of Hans Wegner’s iconic mid-century Papa Bear chair). On 1stDibs, shop a range of wingback chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    Wingback chairs emerged during the 17th-century era. The wings on classic wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose, or did, when they were first conceived in England in the 1600s. Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explanation is why the wingback is strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace. Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years. Shop a selection of wingback chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The purpose of a wingback chair is to provide seating. Usually, these upholstered chairs go in seating areas and allow people to rest comfortably while carrying on conversations, reading and performing other activities. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique and vintage wingback chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    There is no hard and fast rule about where a wingback chair should be placed. Historically, people used the large chairs in front of block drafts, and you can continue this tradition in your home. Alternatively, you can place one wherever it fits the layout of your room. To show off the distinctive shape of the chair, it is a good idea to position it somewhere that allows it to be viewed from the sides and back as well as the front. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of wingback chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024
    Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy designed the Butterfly chair. The trio met while working in Le Corbusier's studio and then moved to Argentina, where they founded the Grupo Austral. In 1938, they unveiled their now iconic chair, which was inspired by a previous work called Tripolona, which they designed using inspiration from folding, collapsible chairs used by the British military. Shop a collection of Butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Whether or not a butterfly chair will fold will depend on the make and model. The butterfly chair was originally designed with metal hairpin legs without hinges or joints. Collector versions of the butterfly chair will not be foldable, however, foldable designs are a popular silhouette for recreational seating.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The Butterfly chair, also known as the BKF or Hardoy chair, was made in 1938 in Buenos Aires. It is recognizable by its metal frame and suspended seat, created by the large sling of material hung from the frame’s highest points. Shop the unique style from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
    Whether or not Butterfly chairs are comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. Many people find that the way the upholstery of the Butterfly chair hangs from its metal frame provides plenty of support for the body. Plus, its sling design invites users to settle in and relax. Shop a collection of Butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Butterfly chairs were popular in the 1950s. Due to a renewed interest in mid-century modern design, the chairs are also used to decorate homes today. The original name of the butterfly chair is the BKF after its three designers, Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari Hardoy. You'll find a range of butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari Hardoy made the butterfly chair. The three architects created the design in 1938 at their firm in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Their design draws inspiration from Joseph Beverly Fenby's Tripolina chair produced in 1877. Shop a variety of butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.

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