Ladder Back Settees
Antique 1890s French Benches
Rush, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Settees
Wood, Rush
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Loveseats
Walnut
Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Benches
Leather, Maple
Mid-20th Century American Country Benches
Oak
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Benches
Rush, Wood
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Rush, Oak
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Late 20th Century American French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Rush, Walnut, Paint
Antique 1870s French Renaissance Benches
Walnut
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Benches
Pine
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Benches
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XIV Side Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1920s Hungarian Rustic Benches
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights a...
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Rustic Console Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Benches
Pine, Paint
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Benches
Pine
Antique Late 17th Century French Baroque Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century British Georgian Benches
Textile, Oak
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Benches
Fabric, Wood, Linen, Walnut
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XIII Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Chairs
Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1940s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Rush, Rope, Oak
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century Settees
Antique Mid-19th Century American Adirondack Painted Furniture
Wood
Antique 1790s French Directoire Benches
Rush, Cherry
Antique 18th Century French French Provincial Settees
Rush, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Country Settees
Wood
20th Century French French Provincial Benches
Rush, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Settees
Vintage 1930s French Settees
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century English Sheraton Settees
Brass
Antique 19th Century American Settees
Pine
Vintage 1930s French Country Benches
Rush, Walnut
Vintage 1950s French Country Benches
Antique 19th Century Painted Furniture
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Benches
Rush, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Benches
Rush, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Elm, Rush
Antique Mid-19th Century French Settees
Rush, Wood
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Settees
Wood, Fabric
Antique Early 1900s French French Provincial Settees
Rush, Wood
Vintage 1930s French Country Benches
Rush, Walnut
Early 20th Century Shaker Benches
Rattan, Pine
Antique Late 19th Century French Country Benches
Rush, Walnut
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Linen, Cherry
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Ladder back chairs have a timeless design that was popular in several eras. Early examples date back to the Middle Ages. The wooden chairs became very popular in colonial America and England during the 17th century. Shop a range of antique and vintage ladder back chairs on 1stDibs.
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