Thomas Hope Stool
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Stools
Gold Leaf
Antique Mid-19th Century English William IV Stools
Rosewood
2010s English Regency Footstools
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency Stools
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Benches
Brass
2010s English Regency Footstools
Gold Leaf
Vintage 1920s French Egyptian Revival Benches
Walnut
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21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Carts and Bar Carts
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Console Tables
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary English Classical Roman Console Tables
Gesso, Wood, Paint
2010s Italian Other Chandeliers and Pendants
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Aluminum
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Other
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chaise Longues
Leather
2010s English Chippendale Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mirrors
Gold Leaf
Vintage 1930s French Rococo Benches
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Bergere Chairs
Linen
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Bookcases
Spruce
Antique Late 19th Century American American Empire Footstools
Linen, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Armchairs
Velvet
Early 20th Century English Stools
Linen, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Fabric, Giltwood
Recent Sales
Antique Early 19th Century English Stools
Antique 1810s English Regency Stools
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century English Stools
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary British Regency Stools
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Stools
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Regency Benches
Gold Leaf
20th Century European Egyptian Revival Stools
Brass
Mid-20th Century British Stools
Early 20th Century British Regency Stools
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Stools
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1820s English Regency Footstools
Gold Leaf
20th Century British Regency Stools
Mahogany
Antique 1810s British Regency Stools
Antique Early 19th Century Regency Stools
Giltwood
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Stools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Stools
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century English Stools
Antique 19th Century English Stools
Antique 19th Century British Greek Revival Stools
Mahogany, Velvet
Antique 19th Century British Stools
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English Benches
Wood
Antique 1810s English Regency Footstools
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century British Classical Greek Chairs
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Chairs
Giltwood
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.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.
Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.