Curved Arm Chairs
Late 20th Century Italian Regency Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage 1940s Danish Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Velvet
20th Century Italian Regency Dining Room Chairs
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Birch
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
20th Century Chairs
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Modern Lounge Chairs
Mohair
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Club Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
2010s Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Upholstery, Walnut, Oak, Pine
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Side Chairs
Wood, Paint
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Maple, Sycamore, Walnut
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1920s Chairs
Hardwood
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Side Chairs
Fruitwood
Early 2000s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Dining Room Chairs
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century American Armchairs
Walnut
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin, Beech
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Rope, Oak
Early 2000s French Modern Armchairs
Leather
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin, Beech
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Bamboo
Vintage 1960s Armchairs
Rattan
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Organic Modern Armchairs
Rattan, Polyester
Vintage 1970s Organic Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Mohair, Teak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Beech
Early 20th Century Swedish Modern Armchairs
Burlap, Bamboo
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Velvet, Hardwood
Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Club Chairs
Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
Antique 19th Century Chinese Furniture
Antique 1660s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century British Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
2010s Turkish Modern Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Austrian Armchairs
Fruitwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s American Dining Room Chairs
Lucite
Vintage 1940s Italian Armchairs
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Ash
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
1990s Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
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Curved Arm Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Curved Arm 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 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 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 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 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 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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