Early European Armchairs
Vintage 1910s Armchairs
Oak
Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 1830s European Neoclassical Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 1820s German Neoclassical Armchairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century European Biedermeier Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century Spanish Baroque Armchairs
Oak
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1920s Swedish Victorian Armchairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century European Armchairs
Rattan, Walnut
Early 20th Century European Armchairs
Rattan, Wood
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Armchairs
Mohair, Birch
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Rattan, Wood
Early 20th Century European Armchairs
Upholstery, Elm
Antique Late 19th Century European Armchairs
Walnut
Early 20th Century European Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Armchairs
Brass
Early 20th Century French Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique Early 18th Century European Baroque Armchairs
Textile, Silk, Velvet, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century European Louis XVI Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Armchairs
Wood
Vintage 1930s European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century European Armchairs
Brass
Early 20th Century European Armchairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century European Renaissance Armchairs
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century European Louis XVI Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Baroque Revival Armchairs
Bone, Wood
Early 20th Century European Renaissance Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century European Neoclassical Armchairs
Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage 1920s Swiss Black Forest Armchairs
Wood
Early 20th Century European Armchairs
Leather, Beech
Antique Early 19th Century European Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Armchairs
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Armchairs
Leather, Faux Leather, Birch
Early 20th Century European Louis XV Armchairs
Beech
Early 20th Century European Armchairs
Oak
Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Beech
Early 20th Century European Armchairs
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Beech
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Country Armchairs
Rush, Wood
Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bentwood
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Armchairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century European Armchairs
Linen, Beech
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Armchairs
Pine, Paint
Antique Early 17th Century European Renaissance Armchairs
Oak
Early 20th Century European Queen Anne Armchairs
Tapestry, Wood
Early 20th Century Burmese Kilim Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Early 20th Century European Louis XVI Armchairs
Velvet, Nutwood
Antique Early 18th Century French Renaissance Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Early 2000s European Armchairs
Wood, Paper
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century European Georgian Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Armchairs
Fabric, Jacaranda
20th Century Dutch Art Deco Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Linen, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century German Bauhaus Armchairs
Chrome
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Early European Armchairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Early European Armchairs?
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
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.
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.