1930s Arm Chair
Vintage 1930s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1930s American Adirondack Chairs
Hickory
Vintage 1930s American Adirondack Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1930s Belgian Arts and Crafts Lounge Chairs
Nylon, Oak
Vintage 1940s American Adirondack Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Patio and Garden Furniture
Metal, Steel
Mid-20th Century Armchairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Machine Age Armchairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Wood
Early 20th Century American British Colonial Armchairs
Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1930s American Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1920s French French Provincial Armchairs
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Birch
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1930s French Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1930s Armchairs
20th Century American Adirondack Club Chairs
Wood
20th Century American Club Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1930s American Lounge Chairs
Lacquer, Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1930s English Armchairs
Twill, Wood
Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany, Oak
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Chairs
Faux Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1930s Armchairs
Vintage 1930s American American Craftsman Patio and Garden Furniture
Vintage 1930s Austrian Living Room Sets
Bentwood
Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Armchairs
Oak, Fabric
Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1930s Austrian Art Deco Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Patio and Garden Furniture
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan, Reed
Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Armchairs
Ebony, Leather
Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Armchairs
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1930s Austrian Art Deco Armchairs
Cane, Walnut
Vintage 1930s Czech Armchairs
Beech
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Brass
Vintage 1930s Czech Armchairs
Beech
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1930s Austrian Art Deco Armchairs
Cane, Walnut
Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Birch, Sheepskin
Vintage 1930s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1930s American Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Maple
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Oak, Velvet
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Armchairs
Chrome
Vintage 1930s Caribbean Armchairs
Vintage 1930s French Armchairs
Mohair
Vintage 1930s Italian Club Chairs
Rosewood
Early 20th Century American Armchairs
Vintage 1930s American Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1930s American Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Club Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1930s American Rancho Monterey Chairs
Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Club Chairs
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Club Chairs
Vintage 1930s French Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
Wood, Linen
Vintage 1930s Armchairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Birch
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1930s Arm Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 1930s Arm 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Yes, people had record players in the 1930s. In fact, record players began to become more common during the decade and continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Thomas Edison made the first phonograph record player in 1877. Shop a variety of record players on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023What brides wore in the 1930s varied. Some wore long flowing dresses made of satin or silk. Long sleeves were popular and designs often featured only minimal embellishments like appliqués and beading. Because many people faced difficult financial situations due to the Great Depression, brides also sometimes simply wore their best dresses on their wedding days. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage wedding dresses.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024To identify 1930s furniture, first see if you can spot a maker's mark in hidden areas, such as the back, base, inside of drawers or under tabletops and seats. Trusted online resources can help you determine who produced your furniture based on these markings, and from there, you can research more to get a rough idea of how old your item is. A piece's characteristics can also be helpful when dating furniture. Many items made during the 1930s are examples of Art Deco furniture. Art Deco furniture is characterized by geometric patterns and luxurious materials, such as shagreen, marble, mother of pearl, mirrored glass, exotic animal hides and rare woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can provide an expert opinion on when your piece was likely made. On 1stDibs, explore a range of 1930s furniture.
- 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, 2023In the 1930s, phones typically looked like rotary telephones. They had either a round or square base with a numbered dial that spun when you dialed and a handset receiver with both an earpiece and a mouthpiece. A cord connected the handset to the base. Find a variety of rotary phones 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 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 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 ExpertNovember 13, 2024No one knows for sure why some dining chairs with arms are called carvers. However, it likely relates to the historical use of these chairs. Technically, carver is the nickname for a specific type of dining chair with arms, not for all dining armchairs. A Colonial American design, a carver chair features a backrest that wraps around the sides and forms arms. Traditionally, the carver chair went at the head of the table, and often the family member responsible for carving the primary entrée sat at this place. As a result, the chair's purpose for seating the carver of the meal is one potential explanation for the nickname. Another is that the name comes from John Carver, the governor of the Plymouth Colony. Reportedly, Carver owned one of these chairs, and people began referring to them by his name as a result. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of carver chairs.
- 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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