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Roman Sella

Diphros & Sella Curulis inspired Carla Stool, upholstered in blue stripe silk
By Samantha Todhunter
Located in London, GB
The Carla Stool takes its inspiration from the Greek Diphros stool and the Roman Sella Curulis
Category

2010s Portuguese Greco Roman Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

The Diphros & Sella Curulis inspired Carla Stool, upholstered in Seaweed Aqua
By Samantha Todhunter
Located in London, GB
The Carla Stool takes its inspiration from the Greek Diphros stool and the Roman Sella Curulis
Category

2010s Portuguese Greco Roman Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

The Diphros & Sella Curulis inspired Carla Stool, upholstered in leopard velvet
By Samantha Todhunter
Located in London, GB
The Carla Stool takes its inspiration from the Greek Diphros stool and the Roman Sella Curulis
Category

2010s Portuguese Greco Roman Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood

Rare Pair of French Directoire Fauteuils en Curule, Paris, circa 1800, G. Jacob
By Georges Jacob
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Roman sella curulis (said to derive from currus, ‘chariot’), a curved X-frame seat reserved for
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Jean-Joseph Chapuis Rare Pair of Empire parcel-gilt japanned Fauteuils
By Jean Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
allegiance to the past than this armchair painted in le style antique and based on the ancient Roman sella
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Belgian Empire Armchairs

Materials

Bentwood

Important Empire Early 19th Century Fauteuil by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
By Jean Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Roman sella curulis (folding stool); With a curved toprail decorated with putti supporting a medaillion
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Belgian Empire Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Antique Painted Bench or Settee, ex-Madeleine Castaing, after design by Chapuis
By Jean Joseph Chapuis
Located in Richmond, London
curves, evoking the ancient Roman 'sella curulis' - a symbol of magisterial power, this settee is truly a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Belgian Neoclassical Benches

Materials

Wood, Cane

Pair of ormolu mounted and lacquered metal curule chairs in the Empire style
Located in London, GB
chairs originally appeared in the Roman Republic, called sella curulis, seats reserved exclusively for
Category

20th Century French Empire Chairs

Materials

Metal, Ormolu

Vintage set of Barcelona Chairs - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe - Knoll International
By Knoll
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
comfort and style. The chair's opulent yet minimalistic design is inspired by the sella curulis, a Roman
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather

People Also Browsed

Life Size Bronze Ballerina Statue "pas de Deux" a Dance for Two by Mario Jason
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful life size bronze statue by artist and sculptor Mario Jason. For the artist, dance is his muse. Since the 1980's, Mario Jason's sculptures have attracted a worldwide audie...
Category

Late 20th Century American Statues

Materials

Bronze

Pair of George I Style Giltwood Chairs
Located in Martlesham, GB
A fabulous pair of early 20th century carved and gilded chairs in the George I style, the front cabriole legs have carved mask heads on the knees and carved decoration running down t...
Category

Vintage 1920s English George I Chairs

Materials

Giltwood

Walter Leeman Zeppelin sofa for Velda 1970s
By Walter Leeman
Located in Padova, IT
Rare Zeppelin sofa designed by Walter Leeman in the seventies for Velda. The sofa, thanks to its monumental dimensions and seamless tubular structure, makes it sculptural and predomi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Space Age Sofas

Materials

Steel

Walter Leeman Zeppelin sofa for Velda 1970s
Walter Leeman Zeppelin sofa for Velda 1970s
H 25.6 in W 102.37 in D 37.41 in
Modern Andrea Salvetti for Dilmos Limited EditionArmchair Sculpture Bronze Cast
By Andrea Salvetti
Located in Milan, IT
Extraordinary armchair in a limited edition of 9 pieces made in lost wax-casting in bronze for Dilmos Milano. The artist Andrea Salvetti was inspired by the posture of the Madonna ho...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Chinese Export Bronze-Mounted Red Lacquer and Parcel-Gilt Cabinets
Located in Hudson, NY
On later stands, each fitted with a pair of cabinet doors opening to shelves. Loose translation of the calligraphy across the four doors reads: "Going tens of miles in Jiangnan in ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Large George III Giltwood Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Large George III giltwood sofa in the manner of James Wyatt. This sofa has a detailed frame that includes bellflowers and carved rosettes. The whole is raised on beautiful tap...
Category

Antique 18th Century English Georgian Sofas

Materials

Beech

Large George III Giltwood Sofa
Large George III Giltwood Sofa
H 39.38 in W 89.77 in D 29.53 in
19th century Austrian Promberger & Son hand painted grand piano
By Johann Joseph Promberger
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A magnificent antique Austrian baby Grand piano by Promberger & Son. The hinged serpentine top and the case sides later decorated overall with 18th century style paintings in the man...
Category

Antique 1870s Austrian Fireplaces and Mantels

Materials

Wood

Henry Holland Studio Handmade Brown and White Ceramic Sphere Table Lamp
By Henry Holland Studio
Located in London, GB
Our "TABLE" table lamp is larger than normal, she'd sit comfortably on a sideboard or entrance hall. Made using stacked earthenware spheres sitting atop a hand-turned oak base. The b...
Category

2010s British Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Earthenware, Linen, Oak

Mid Century Modern Chinese Abacus Table Lamp, circa 1960
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Chinese abacus table lamp in hardwood with an ebonized counting frame and brass accents. Used for centuries in the Near East. This particular lamp is from the early 1960s and in grea...
Category

Vintage 1960s Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Parcel Gilt Classical New York Sofa, circa 1820
By Deming & Bulkley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A spectacular American Empire sofa with exquisite detailing and design. One of the masterpieces of Federal New York furniture, this circa 1820 parcel gilt sofa with faux bois Rosewoo...
Category

Antique 1820s American American Classical Sofas

Materials

Mohair, Wood

Henry Holland x Paul Smith Handmade Multi Colour Ceramic Sphere Table Lamp
By Henry Holland Studio
Located in London, GB
'Nobody Cares How Good You Used To Be', the name given to the collaboration between Henry Holland and Paul Smith. This lamp as well as special one-off creations came about through ...
Category

2010s British Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Earthenware, Linen, Oak

Pair of Leopard Parsons Chairs in the Style of Milo Baughman, Custom
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of custom stylish parsons armchairs in the style of Milo Baughman. Newly upholstered in a fun-sophisticated leopard upholstery fabric. Down wrapped seat cushion with down back c...
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Velvet

Henry Holland Studio Handmade Brown and White Ceramic Sphere Floor Lamp
By Henry Holland Studio
Located in London, GB
Our "TALL" Floor lamp sits statuesque in any space and commands attention. These stacked spheres echo silhouettes already found in the tableware, each is handmade in our signature Ne...
Category

2010s British Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Earthenware, Oak, Linen

French Sevres Biscuit Porcelain Figure of a Nude "Le Repos" After Alfred Boucher
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French Sevres biscuit (Bisc) porcelain figure of a recumbent nude lady titled "Le Repos" after a model by Alfred Boucher (French, 1850-1934) Sensually depicting a young w...
Category

Vintage 1910s French Rococo Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Brass and Quartz Crystal Pendant Light, Abacus 1800 by Christopher Boots
By Christopher Boots
Located in Warsaw, PL
Brass and quartz crystal pendant light - Abacus 1800 by Christopher Boots The Abacus is a sophisticated tool dating back to 300 BC. Sliding stones along a rod, ancient statesmen, me...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Australian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Quartz, Crystal, Brass

Pair of Low Back Side Chairs or Meiguiyi, 19th Century
Located in Richmond, London
A stunning pair of Chinese Ming style side chairs or meiguiyi, with spindle-backs and solid seats. China, Qing dynasty, circa 1800–1900. Why we like them Their smart design, superb ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Chairs

Materials

Hardwood

Recent Sales

French Art Deco Stool in Beech, circa 1940
Located in Sint-Kruis, BE
Curule seat, as the form was known, or “sella curulis”, as the Romans called it, was reserved as a seat
Category

20th Century French Stools

Materials

Fabric, Beech

French Art Deco Stool in Beech, circa 1940
French Art Deco Stool in Beech, circa 1940
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 23.63 in
Pair of Napoleon III Style Curule Stool
Located in Paris, FR
. It takes its name from the Latin sella curulis, from currus, "chariot". Symbol of civic power under
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Stools

Pair of Napoleon III Style Curule Stool
Pair of Napoleon III Style Curule Stool
H 20.48 in W 22.45 in D 16.15 in
Set of Four Early 20th Century Roman-Style Painted Wrought-Iron Side Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
originates in ancient Rome, referring to the "Seat of Power" or 'sella curulis', a throne for kings. Make all
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Classical Roman Side Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique Regency Empire Curule Stool
Located in Richmond, London
and neat proportions make this elegant stool a rare example of its kind. Sella Curulis, the chair
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Regency Stools

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Regency Empire Curule Stool
Antique Regency Empire Curule Stool
H 17.5 in W 18.5 in D 22 in
Pair of Directoire Curule or X Frame Stools, c.1800.
Located in Stockholm, SE
, Napoleon, and others. In the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, the curule chair (sella curulis
Category

Antique Early 1800s French Directoire Stools

Materials

Wood

Good Quality French Late 19th Century Walnut X Frame Curule Stool
Located in Benington, Herts
, Napoleon, and others. In the Roman Republic and Empire, the curule chair (sella curulis, supposedly from
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Stools

Materials

Linen, Walnut

Pair of Italian Wrought Iron Stools With Leather Seats
Located in Asheville, NC
emperor. The "sella curulis", as it was known, had practical function beyond its aesthetic and political
Category

20th Century Italian Stools

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of Antique Painted Curule Armchairs in the style of Jean-Joseph Chapuis
By Jean Joseph Chapuis
Located in Richmond, London
exaggerated curves, evoking the ancient Roman 'sella curulis' – the ultimate symbol of power, these chairs
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Belgian Neoclassical Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Set of Four Early 20th Century Roman-Style Painted Wrought-Iron Side Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
originates in ancient Rome, referring to the "Seat of Power" or 'sella curulis', a throne for kings. Make all
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Classical Roman Side Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

Luigi Belli - Italian 19th Century Gilt Bronze Quadriga Chariot with horses
By Luigi Belli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
group depicting a 1st century Roman four-horse quadrigram racing chariot being driven by a gladiator
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Greco Roman Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Curule Tabouret
Located in Berlin, DE
19th century painted curule tabouret, a commonly used design in Roman times as a magistrates seat
Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Stools

Materials

Wood

19th Century Curule Tabouret
19th Century Curule Tabouret
H 23.23 in W 22.84 in D 14.97 in
Italian Curule Folding Armchair
Located in Vosselaar, BE
Egyptians and were popularized by the Romans as a seating for important officials (sella currilus or trone
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Italian Curule Folding Armchair
Italian Curule Folding Armchair
H 36.23 in W 24.41 in D 18.12 in
Antique Curule Stool in Leopard Print and Greek Key Border
Located in Richmond, London
, this handsome stool is an elegant accent piece for a classic or eclectic interior.   Sella Curulis
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

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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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Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?

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Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate

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