Captains Chairs
Vintage 1960s American Chairs
Walnut
Antique 1880s English Chairs
Elm, Fruitwood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Elm, Oak
Antique 19th Century English Chairs
Elm, Oak
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Ash
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Swivel Chairs
Oak
Antique 1890s English Chesterfield Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Jute, Teak
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chairs
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Windsor Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1950s American American Craftsman Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Antique Early 1900s Country Chairs
Beech
20th Century British Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Papercord, Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Windsor Chairs
Maple
Vintage 1980s American Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood
20th Century Polish Country Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Poplar, Bentwood
Antique Early 1900s Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Rope, Hardwood
Antique Early 19th Century English William IV Chairs
Brass
2010s American Victorian Club Chairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English William IV Chairs
Walnut
20th Century English Modern Armchairs
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Club Chairs
Brass
20th Century Danish Country Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1980s American Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Chairs
Beech, Elm
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Club Chairs
Brass
Early 20th Century American American Colonial Armchairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Rustic Dining Room Chairs
Maple
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Cane, Oak
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rattan, Teak
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rattan, Teak
20th Century British Swivel Chairs
Leather
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Oak
Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Swivel Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
Vintage 1980s Thai Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Teak
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Ash
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Cane, Oak
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Antique Early 1900s British Late Victorian Armchairs
Elm
Early 20th Century English Armchairs
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century American Windsor Chairs
Wood, Paint
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Foam, Oak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Teak
Antique 1840s English Early Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Teak
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Armchairs
Elm
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Captains Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Captains 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Captain’s chairs are called that because early versions of the armchairs were used aboard boats to provide seating for high-ranking officers. These chairs date back to the 19th century and usually featured all-wood construction. Find a selection of antique and vintage captain's chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a captain's chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A captain's chair is an armchair with a saddle seat and low curved back, usually upholstered in leather or cloth. It has vertical spindles that create the appearance of extra height for more formal settings. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage chairs.
- What is a captain’s chair for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Today, a captain's chair is typically used for providing seating at a kitchen or dining table. The name of the chair comes from the fact that furniture of this type once provided seating for a ship's officers in lounge areas. Shop a large collection of captain's chairs on 1stDibs.
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