Parsons Arm Chair
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bouclé, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Armchairs
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Club Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Metal
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chenille
Vintage 1970s Modern Armchairs
Vintage 1970s American Table Lamps
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Vintage 1970s American Lounge Chairs
20th Century American Chairs
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood, Bouclé
Parsons Arm Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Parsons 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.
- What is a Parsons chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024A Parsons chair is a type of dining chair. It features four wooden legs with a slight taper. In some cases, the front legs may be turned. The chairs also tend to have high rectangular backs and lightly padded seats, both clad in upholstery. The name Parsons chair refers to the Parsons School of Design in Paris, France, where students first developed the now iconic chair during the 1930s. Shop an assortment of Parsons chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a Parsons-style chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Parsons-style chair is a type of seating furniture with a simple square back and straight arms that connect to rectangular legs. The name comes from the Parsons School of Design in Paris, France, where the chairs originated in the 1930s. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Parsons-style chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024Why it is called a Parsons chair relates to the history of this seating style. During the 1930s, a group of students at the Parsons School of Design in Paris, France, created the first example of the Parsons chair for a project that involved trying to design a comfortable chair that could blend in with many types of decor. It quickly became popular among furniture makers, who began duplicating the chair, calling it the Parsons chair in honor of its creators. Explore a collection of Parsons chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The difference between a side chair and a Parsons chair is style. A side chair is a very commonly used dining chair. The form of a side chair may vary, but the constant is the lack of armrests to keep hands free for eating and to save space at the table. A Parsons chair is a type of side chair that features upholstery on the seat and back. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 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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