Bristol Chair
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Ch...
Ash, Walnut
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Bentwood
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Chairs
Hardwood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Ash, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Lacquer
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Cotton, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Dining Room Sets
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Brass
Vintage 1950s Irish Posters
Paper
Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Chandeliers and Pendants
Iron
Vintage 1920s German Bauhaus Chandeliers and Pendants
Chrome
2010s Stools
Bronze
2010s Benches
Steel
2010s Side Tables
Oak
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Wood
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Mohair, Velvet, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut, Velvet, Oak
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Chairs
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
2010s Polish Organic Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Antique 1780s English Georgian Wingback Chairs
Hardwood
Antique 18th Century English George III Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood
Vintage 1930s British Georgian Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Chenille
Antique 19th Century British Chippendale End Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Chippendale End Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Chippendale End Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Lounge Chairs
20th Century Italian Lounge Chairs
20th Century Italian Lounge Chairs
Walnut, Mohair
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Maple
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Maple
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Italian Club Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Dining Room Chairs
Maple
Vintage 1950s Italian Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
21st Century and Contemporary American Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Cotton
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1930s Italian Lounge Chairs
Late 20th Century Wingback Chairs
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Cotton, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Antique 1860s Danish Dutch Colonial Swivel Chairs
Faux Leather, Oak
Vintage 1950s Italian Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1940s Italian Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Italian Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Bergere Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Walnut
Vintage 1950s Italian Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Sandalwood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Living Room Sets
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Hardwood
Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Armchairs
Metal
Antique 1890s English Game Tables
Oak
Bristol Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Bristol 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.
Read More
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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.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
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.