Iconic Chairs
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Walnut
2010s Italian Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal, Chrome
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Belgian Modern Chairs
Wood
20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Late 20th Century American Modern Swivel Chairs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Side Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Italian Chairs
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
2010s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Beech, Teak
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Rosewood
Vintage 1920s Italian Bauhaus Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Teak
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Leather, Bamboo
Vintage 1980s Italian Arts and Crafts Chairs
Ash, Ebony
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
20th Century American Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
2010s Danish Post-Modern Chairs
Other
2010s Danish Post-Modern Chairs
Other
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Ash
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Papercord, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1970s French Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
1990s Italian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs
Steel
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Iconic Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Iconic 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.
- Why is the Eames chair iconic?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Eames chair is iconic due to its sleek and handsome design, making it the first lounge chair of its time to depart from more traditional, bulky styles. It is also exceptionally comfortable. This mid-century chair was designed by Charles and Ray Eames for the furniture company Herman Miller. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Eames chairs from top sellers worldwide.
- Why is the ghost chair iconic?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Louis Ghost chair is iconic for its elegant clear Lucite design, created by Phillipe Starck in 2002. It makes it exceptionally versatile to incorporate into existing decor, as well as making it an eye-catching style statement. Shop a collection of ghost chairs from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.
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