Punjabi Chair
20th Century Indian Romantic Chairs
Cedar
Vintage 1930s Southeast Asian Art Deco Sofas
Wood, Paint, Textile
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Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Sofa Tables
Walnut
1990s Indian Modern Tapestries
Textile
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century Indian Islamic Textiles
Metallic Thread
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Side Tables
Eggshell
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Sofas
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
20th Century Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Teak, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Console Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Sofas
Aluminum
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Recent Sales
Antique Mid-19th Century Indian Furniture
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century European Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1940s Chairs
20th Century Pakistani Chairs
Metal
Early 20th Century Indian Armchairs
Vintage 1940s Chairs
Fruitwood
Antique Late 19th Century Indian Chairs
Rope, Wood
Vintage 1960s Pakistani Armchairs
Wood
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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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.
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After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.