Stick And Ball Chair
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Corner Chairs
Rush, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Side Chairs
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
20th Century American Regency Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century Victorian Rocking Chairs
Cane, Chestnut
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Armchairs
Wicker, Rattan, Hardwood
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Corner Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Corner Chairs
Rush, Oak
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century American Chairs
Wood
Early 20th Century North American Arts and Crafts Side Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Slipper Chairs
20th Century American Eastlake Settees
Wood, Mahogany, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Corner Chairs
Rush, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Corner Chairs
Bamboo, Cane
Antique Late 19th Century French Corner Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Corner Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Arts and Crafts Corner Chairs
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Country Corner Chairs
Rush, Oak
Antique 19th Century Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Vintage 1940s Syrian Anglo Raj Armchairs
Stone
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2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
Stick And Ball Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Stick And Ball 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024The significance of the Ball chair is that it became an instant commercial success, and its groundbreaking form shook up the modern design world. After its debut at the 1966 International Furniture Fair in Cologne, buyers from 30 countries placed orders for their homes. Celebrities like Sammy Davis Jr. and Grace Kelly were among the early purchasers, as were royal figures like the Shah of Iran. Today, Eero Aarnio Originals makes the Ball chair, and it's featured in movies, magazines and museums all over the planet, even as it appears to have arrived from another solar system. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Eero Aarnio Ball chairs.
- What is the Ball Chair made of?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The iconic Ball Chair is made of fiberglass, creating that rounded shape. The interior of a Ball Chair is upholstered in fine fabrics. Originally designed by Finnish furniture designer Eero Aarnio in 1963, this rounded chair is considered a classic display of industrial design. Shop a collection of Ball Chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024Whether or not Eero Aarnio Ball chairs are comfortable or not is largely a matter of personal opinion. When the chair debuted in 1966, the New York Times reporter who saw it at the International Furniture Fair in Cologne suggested that the seating on display was "designed more for laughs than for comfort." However, the distinctive chair brought Aarnio instant commercial success. Today, many people still find the inviting foam-filled fabric seat inside its molded-fiberglass orb to be as comfortable to sit on as it is pleasing to the eye. Shop an assortment of vintage Eero Aarnio Ball chairs on 1stDibs.
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