Carved Swan Empire Chairs
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Side Chairs
Rattan, Wood
Vintage 1940s English Empire Club Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1880s French Empire Side Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Neoclassical Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X Side Chairs
Maple
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Beech
Antique Late 19th Century English Empire Revival Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mohair, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English Empire Revival Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century European Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Russian Empire Dressers
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Armchairs
Wood, Leather
Antique Late 19th Century French Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Charles X Armchairs
Leather, Oak
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2010s Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Copper, Pewter
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Empire Dining Room Tables
Mahogany, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Velvet, Wood, Ebony
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Beech
2010s Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Daybeds
Iron
Antique 16th Century French Renaissance Armchairs
Walnut
20th Century Neoclassical Revival Gueridon
Gesso, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century Egyptian Moorish Settees
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Chaise Longues
Mahogany
Recent Sales
Antique 1810s French Empire Chairs
Walnut
Antique Early 1900s Swedish Neoclassical Side Chairs
Wood, Silk
20th Century French Armchairs
Wood
Antique 1880s European Empire Revival Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Late 20th Century Empire Club Chairs
Silk, Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage 1970s Empire Revival Club Chairs
Wood, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Brass
1990s European Empire Club Chairs
Early 20th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Antique Late 19th Century Empire Chairs
Other
Vintage 1940s Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Empire Club Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany, Velvet
Vintage 1910s European Empire Armchairs
Ormolu
Vintage 1940s French Neoclassical Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Lounge Chairs
Leather, Cotton, Foam, Wood, Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century English Empire Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Late 20th Century French Empire Children's Furniture
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Fabric, Textile, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Empire Settees
Mahogany, Leather
Antique Early 1800s Italian Neoclassical Wall-mounted Sculptures
Bentwood, Pine
20th Century Armchairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Fruitwood, Paint, Silk
Late 20th Century French Armchairs
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1890s English Edwardian Bookcases
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Wardrobes and Armoires
Antique 1890s French Empire Side Chairs
Gold Leaf
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
Mid-20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Silk, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Charles X Chairs
Leather, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Lounge Chairs
Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Antique 1880s French Empire Living Room Sets
Antique 19th Century French Bergere Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
French Bergere Chairs
Giltwood
20th Century Armchairs
Mahogany
20th Century French Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Hardwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Paint, Fabric
Early 20th Century American Armchairs
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Mahogany, Fabric
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Antique 1870s French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 1900s English Georgian Desks
Walnut, Burl
Carved Swan Empire Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Carved Swan Empire Chairs?
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.
Read More
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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
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.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
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.