Empire Arm Chairs
Vintage 1920s Chairs
Wood
Antique 1880s Armchairs
Wood
20th Century French Armchairs
Brass
Vintage 1940s French Empire Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1930s Chairs
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Empire Side Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood, Paint
Vintage 1950s American Empire Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century North American Country Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Dutch Other Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
2010s Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s European Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1940s American Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
2010s Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Silk, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Swedish Empire Side Chairs
Wood, Giltwood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s European Dining Room Chairs
Bentwood
Antique 1830s French Empire Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Lounge Chairs
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Empire Side Chairs
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1910s French Dining Room Chairs
Bentwood
20th Century Chairs
Leather
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Chairs
Bronze
Antique 1890s French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany, Fabric
Late 20th Century American American Empire Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Cane, Foam, Walnut, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Empire Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Armchairs
Hardwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
Late 20th Century Empire Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1960s European Empire Revival Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century French Chairs
Bronze, Gold
Early 20th Century Empire Armchairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Armchairs
Wood
Antique 1840s French Empire Revival Armchairs
Bronze
20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Late 20th Century Empire Armchairs
Ultrasuede, Wicker, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs
Fruitwood
Late 20th Century American Regency Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany, Silk
Vintage 1950s European Dining Room Chairs
Bentwood
Late 20th Century American Regency Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Dining Room Chairs
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Empire Side Chairs
Gold Leaf
Antique 19th Century English Campaign Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Lounge Chairs
Metal
Antique 1840s American American Empire Armchairs
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Patio and Garden Furniture
Reed, Wood, Rattan
Late 20th Century American Regency Armchairs
Upholstery, Cherry
Antique 1850s American Empire Revival Armchairs
Mahogany
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Empire Arm Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Empire Arm Chairs?
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 an Empire chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021An Empire chair refers to a piece of seating furniture created in the Empire style. A phase of the neoclassical style, the Empire style gets its name from the rule of the Emperor Napoleon I. The furniture is colossal, weight-wise, and richly adorned with bronze and marble. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary Empire chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Chairs with arms are called armchairs, and there are many styles of them. Examples include club, wingback and roll arm chairs. Find a collection of armchairs on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A chair with arms is an armchair.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023There is no difference between a club chair and an armchair; a club chair is a type of armchair. An armchair is any chair with arms, while a club chair is a wide, comfortable type of armchair that is typically clad in leather and features thick upholstery. All club chairs are armchairs, but not all armchairs are club chairs. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of club chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023An accent chair with no arms is typically called a slipper chair. These upholstered chairs originated in Europe during the 18th century and often served as seating in bedrooms. Today, people place slipper chairs in seating areas as well as bedrooms. Find a variety of slipper chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dining chair with arms is called a carver chair or elbow chair. It is a traditional dining chair with arms added to it for a more structured look and is a popular option for dining seats for a spot to comfortably rest your arms. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Dining room chairs with arms require more space than armless ones.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dining room chairs with arms are simply called armchairs. They are not to be confused with armchairs used in seating areas. A dining chair without arms is a side chair. You'll find a collection of antique and vintage dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Dining chairs without arms are called side chairs. Their counterpart, the armchair, is often found at the head of the table, with the side chairs filling in the seats along the side of the table. Shop a collection of side chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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