French Empire Swan Chair
Vintage 1950s French Empire Revival Bergere Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century European Empire Chairs
Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Bronze
Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Side Chairs
Rattan, Wood
Vintage 1960s European Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Antique 1880s French Empire Side Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Wingback Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mohair, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Fruitwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X Side Chairs
Maple
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Living Room Sets
Ormolu
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Beech
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Bronze
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Armchairs
Wood, Leather
Antique Late 19th Century French Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Cherry, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Russian Empire Dressers
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century French Charles X Armchairs
Leather, Oak
Antique 1880s French Desks and Writing Tables
People Also Browsed
2010s Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Daybeds
Iron
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Copper, Pewter
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Velvet, Wood, Ebony
Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Empire Dining Room Tables
Mahogany, Oak
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
17th Century Baroque Landscape Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Armchairs
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Chairs
Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Cotton, Walnut
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century French Chairs
Antique 1810s French Empire Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Chairs
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
20th Century French Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Antique 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Vintage 1970s Empire Revival Club Chairs
Wood, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Empire Club Chairs
Silk, Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Brass
Early 20th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany, Velvet
Antique 1810s French Empire Side Chairs
Chenille, Cherry, Softwood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century Argentine Bergere Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Linen, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Side Chairs
Mahogany, Velvet
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Lounge Chairs
Leather, Cotton, Foam, Wood, Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage 1940s French Neoclassical Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany, Velvet
20th Century Unknown Empire Armchairs
Antique 19th Century French Bergere Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Brass
Late 20th Century French Empire Children's Furniture
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Fabric, Textile, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Empire Settees
Mahogany, Leather
Antique 1880s French Empire Bookcases
Ormolu
20th Century Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1810s French Empire More Desk Accessories
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Living Room Sets
Bronze
Antique 1860s French Empire Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Fruitwood, Paint, Silk
Late 20th Century French Armchairs
Antique 1890s French Empire Side Chairs
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Chairs
Brass
Antique Early 1900s French Empire Bergere Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Mahogany
20th Century Unknown Empire Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut, Giltwood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Charles X Chairs
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Silk, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Wood
Antique 1810s French Empire Side Tables
Bronze
Vintage 1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Centerpieces
Majolica
Antique 1850s French Egyptian Revival Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
French Bergere Chairs
Giltwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
Bronze
20th Century Armchairs
Mahogany
French Empire Swan Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a French Empire Swan Chair?
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.
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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
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This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
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.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
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.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.
Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.