Italian Banquette
Antique Late 17th Century Italian Other Benches
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
Antique 1790s Italian Louis XVI Benches
Textile, Silk, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
2010s Italian Post-Modern Benches
Brass
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Iron
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Settees
Wood, Oak
Vintage 1950s Italian Loveseats
Wood
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Canapes
Faux Leather, Fiberglass, Palisander
Antique 19th Century Italian Rustic Benches
Wood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Canapes
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Benches
Wood, Fabric
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Benches
Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Benches
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Benches
Wood
Antique 19th Century Daybeds
Giltwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Benches
Antique 18th Century Italian Benches
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Art Nouveau Benches
Wood, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Settees
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Benches
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Daybeds
Vintage 1940s Italian Benches
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Benches
Fabric
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Benches
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Louis XIV Benches
Leather, Zebra Hide
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Fabric, Beech
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Benches
Bronze
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Metal
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Canapes
Fabric, Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Benches
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Louis XVI Benches
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Neoclassical Benches
Velvet, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Italian Benches
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Benches
Silk, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Benches
Wood
Antique 18th Century Italian Benches
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Abalone, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Directoire Benches
Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Iron
Antique 18th Century Italian Benches
Giltwood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
20th Century Italian Benches
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s Italian Loveseats
Leather
Early 20th Century Italian Benches
Iron
Antique 19th Century Italian Benches
Walnut, Fabric
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Benches
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century Italian Sofas
Vintage 1930s Italian Sofas
Wood
Antique 19th Century Italian Benches
Antique 19th Century Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Mirror
Antique 19th Century Italian Benches
Antique Late 19th Century European Benches
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1950s Italian Sofas
Fabric, Wood
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Other
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Velvet, Wood, Ebony
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Night Stands
Wood
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Tables
Mohair, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Bohemian Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Vintage 1960s Italian Post-Modern Vanities
Metal, Brass
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Doors and Gates
Glass, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary English Louis XV Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Greek Stone Sinks
Marble
Italian Banquette For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an Italian Banquette?
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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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
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.
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.