Knoll Platform Sofa
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Wood, Walnut
20th Century English Art Deco Armchairs
Leather
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood
2010s South African Modern Chairs
Steel
20th Century English Art Deco Cabinets
Aluminum
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Sofas
Copper
Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Armchairs
Fabric, Birch
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Wool, Bouclé, Cotton
Vintage 1970s German Post-Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Plastic
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Elm
Antique 1860s European Art Nouveau Bookcases
Oak
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Elm
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut, Birch
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Elm
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Belgian Aubusson Tapestries
Wool, Silk
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
Iron
Vintage 1960s American Sectional Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Modern Daybeds
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Steel
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Stainless Steel
Early 2000s American Modern Daybeds
Stainless Steel
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Sofas
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Leather
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Leather
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.
- What is a Knoll Sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Knoll sofa, or a Knole sofa, is an interesting piece of furniture that’s believed to have its origins in the 1600s and to be the precursor to the modern sofa. It features two side-by-side cushions and arms that are as high as the back of the sofa. The most interesting feature is that these arms can often be tied back or dropped to change the profile of the sofa. Find an assortment of Knole sofas from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021Platform foundation sofas are sofas that are simply built with boxy frames and comfy cushions. These types of sofas provide a vibrant minimalist yet classy look to any sort of formal or informal setting. Discover a wide range of comfy platform foundation sofas on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024The history of the Knoll sofa began in 1954. The sofa was made during American designer and entrepreneur Florence Knoll’s direction of the Knoll Planning Unit, the company's pioneering "design consultant service" that would define the look of the postwar workplace. The versatile Florence Knoll sofa, with its angular silhouette and tasteful mix of textures, could as easily fit into the glass lobby of a skyscraper as the living room of a home. That same year, Florence Knoll also introduced a companion lounge chair that coordinated with the sofa. Knoll, Inc. continues to produce the Florence Knoll sofa over half a century after it was introduced, and vintage models are still prized for their sturdy construction and timeless qualities. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Florence Knoll sofas.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Where Parker Knoll sofas are made has changed over time. In 2016, the luxury furniture maker moved its factory to Castlewood, Nottinghamshire. Prior to the relocation, the company produced most of its pieces in London and High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Parker Knoll sofas from some of the world's top sellers.
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