The Ball Chair
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass, Leather
2010s Spanish Futurist Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Swivel Chairs
Metal
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1980s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Abalone, Fabric, Plastic, Fiberglass
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Birch
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Maple
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Birch
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Maple, Chenille
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Textile, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Maple
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mohair, Walnut
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Plastic, Acrylic
Vintage 1940s French Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1930s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Maple
Antique Late 19th Century Chairs
Wicker, Paint
Antique 1850s German Arts and Crafts Chairs
Oak, Lacquer
Antique 1850s German Brutalist Chairs
Oak, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Unknown Space Age Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass, Foam
Vintage 1920s Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century American Regency Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century Victorian Rocking Chairs
Cane, Chestnut
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century Georgian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Chippendale Side Chairs
Leather
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Wingback Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Belgian Space Age Lounge Chairs
Metal, Aluminum
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Side Chairs
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
Vintage 1940s English Mid-Century Modern Bergere Chairs
Hardwood
Vintage 1980s Unknown Post-Modern Slipper Chairs
Brass
1990s American Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Edwardian Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century English Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Linen
Late 20th Century Philippine Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
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The Ball Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a The Ball Chair?
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 the Ball Chair made of?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The iconic Ball Chair is made of fiberglass, creating that rounded shape. The interior of a Ball Chair is upholstered in fine fabrics. Originally designed by Finnish furniture designer Eero Aarnio in 1963, this rounded chair is considered a classic display of industrial design. Shop a collection of Ball Chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024The significance of the Ball chair is that it became an instant commercial success, and its groundbreaking form shook up the modern design world. After its debut at the 1966 International Furniture Fair in Cologne, buyers from 30 countries placed orders for their homes. Celebrities like Sammy Davis Jr. and Grace Kelly were among the early purchasers, as were royal figures like the Shah of Iran. Today, Eero Aarnio Originals makes the Ball chair, and it's featured in movies, magazines and museums all over the planet, even as it appears to have arrived from another solar system. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Eero Aarnio Ball chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024Whether or not Eero Aarnio Ball chairs are comfortable or not is largely a matter of personal opinion. When the chair debuted in 1966, the New York Times reporter who saw it at the International Furniture Fair in Cologne suggested that the seating on display was "designed more for laughs than for comfort." However, the distinctive chair brought Aarnio instant commercial success. Today, many people still find the inviting foam-filled fabric seat inside its molded-fiberglass orb to be as comfortable to sit on as it is pleasing to the eye. Shop an assortment of vintage Eero Aarnio Ball chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a Masonic Ball?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Masonic balls, also known as golden globes or cross fobs, are ornate orbs that are imbued with symbolism. They usually open to a cross pendant. They can be used as pendants or pocket watch fobs. Find a collection of antique and vintage jewelry on 1stDibs today.
- What is inside a disco ball?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The inside of a disco ball is typically a round piece of foam, plastic or aluminum. Disco balls are made by gluing hundreds of tiny reflective pieces, such as mirrors, onto the outside of the ball. You’ll find a variety of fine disco balls and 1970s nostalgia items on 1stDibs.
- Are witches balls for kids?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There is no age limit on witches balls; however, they are meant to be ornamental and may not serve as the best toys since they are typically made from glass. A witches ball, similar to a ball ornament, is a hollow glass sphere originally hung in windows to ward off evil spirits in the 17th and 18th century. You can shop a selection of witches balls from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a gazing ball used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021Gazing balls are used for decorating gardens. These orbs are generally placed atop a pedestal or wrought iron base. They were believed to bring good luck and ward off evil, but nowadays, they are used just for decorative purposes. Find a collection of antique, new and vintage building and garden elements today on 1stDibs.
- What are ball gowns called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Ball gowns are sometimes called evening gowns or gowns. It is also technically correct to refer to a ball gown as a dress. However, the term dress can also describe pieces that are more casual than gowns. Shop a range of ball gowns from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- What are antique carpet balls?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Antique carpet balls are stone or ceramic balls decorated in bright colored patterns in specific plaids. They were used as a form of indoor carpet bowling, though now are collected for decorative purposes.
- What are mirror balls used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Mirror balls are used as decorative objects. When light shines against them, they create dazzling reflections. You will sometimes see mirror balls called disco balls because they were common decorations in 1970s discotheques. On 1stDibs, find a range of mirror balls.
- How do ball clocks work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A rolling ball clock works with an electric motor. Every five or 10 minutes, the top rail will deposit a ball onto the next rail to indicate what minute it is in multiples of five or 10. Every hour, the upper and middle rails reset and one ball is transferred to the bottom rail to indicate the hour. Shop a collection of vintage ball clocks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Today, a disco ball usually represents the 1970s. That's because the discotheques that heavily influenced society, fashion and music during that decade often had a mirrored disco ball mounted on the ceiling. Its purpose was to cast reflections down onto the dancers as they moved. You'll find a range of vintage disco balls on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Carpet balls are called carpet balls because of their original purpose. When first produced during the 18th century in Scotland, carpet balls were part of a set used to play the Victorian parlor game carpet ball. Find a collection of antique carpet balls on 1stDibs.
- What were carpet balls used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Carpet balls were used to play the game Parlour ball. This Victorian-era indoor game is related to bocce ball or lawn bowling. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique carpet balls from top sellers around the world.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bagatelle game is played with nine balls. It is similar to billiards and is played with wooden cue sticks. The balls are shot across a table, aiming for certain areas to score points, with the goal being to score the most points to win. Find an array of bagatelle games from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Ball and claw furniture has been popular through a range of eras. It has been a notable feature of the Queen Anne era and the Rococco period, covering the early to late 1700s. It was also highly popular during the Edwardian period in the early 1900s. Find a collection of ball and claw furniture from various eras on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Although Sir William Congreve patented the design in 1808, Scottish clockmaker Robert Bryson seems to have invented the rolling ball clock. Examples of his work that predate Congreve's patent have been identified by modern-day historians. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of rolling ball clocks.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Historically, bowling balls were made out of lignum vitae, which is known as the hardest, densest wood. Today, bowling balls are made with more plastic and polyester materials. You can find a collection of vintage and modern bowling balls on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, Conant Ball is not still in business as of January 2022. The company closed in 1980. However, the furniture is still popular among collectors. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Conant Ball furniture from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A ball gown dress and a princess dress are different names for the same style of cut in a wedding dress. This style of dress features a flattering fitted bodice and a full, voluminous skirt that flares out at the waist. The term ball gown is associated with more volume in the skirt than the term princess dress. Browse 1stDibs to find a beautiful array of wedding dresses from top boutiques around the world.
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