Rare Seat
Vintage 1980s American Modern Decorative Art
Paper
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Benches
Cherry
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Wood, Teak
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Oak
19th Century Academic Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French American Classical Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
20th Century Austrian Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Antique 1890s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Rush, Oak
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Antique 1880s Portuguese Napoleon III Chaise Longues
Upholstery, Velvet, Giltwood
Antique 18th Century Burmese Antiquities
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Cane, Oak
Vintage 1970s Philippine Organic Modern Loveseats
Rattan
Antique 17th Century Burmese Antiquities
Wood
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Settees
Raffia
Vintage 1940s American Adirondack Stools
Leather, Hickory
Antique 17th Century Burmese Antiquities
Bronze
Vintage 1940s Hungarian Art Deco Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic
Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Vases
Ceramic
Vintage 1950s Dutch Sofas
Rattan
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Side Chairs
Oak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Settees
Iron
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Drawings
Charcoal, Paper
2010s Italian Sofas
Leather
Antique 19th Century English Early Victorian Dining Room Tables
Other
20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Dining Room Tables
Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Danish Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Dutch Benches
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Benches
Steel
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Ash
Vintage 1930s Living Room Sets
Rattan
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Benches
Iron
Antique 18th Century Burmese Antiquities
Alabaster
Antique 18th Century Burmese Antiquities
Alabaster
2010s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Children's Furniture
Laminate, Birch
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Modern Side Chairs
Teak
Vintage 1960s Sofas
Chrome
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron, Wire
Antique 16th Century Burmese Antiquities
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Dining Room Tables
Birdseye Maple, Macassar
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Benches
Upholstery, Fruitwood
20th Century English Country Living Room Sets
Leather
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1950s Dutch Industrial Dining Room Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
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Rare Seat For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Rare Seat?
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.
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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.