20th Century Nylon Armchairs
Stendig Architect Series Prague Chairs/ 3 pairs available
By Josef Hoffmann, Stendig Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Prague Chairs sold in Pairs. I have always known these to be part of the Architect Series of Prague Chairs produced for Stendig. Nylon replaces the traditional cane. These are al...
Category
Vintage 1960s Czech Bauhaus Armchairs
Materials
Nylon, Wood
Brazilian Modern Armchairs in Hardwood & Fabric, Michel Arnoult, 1960s
By Michel Arnoult
Located in New York, NY
Available today this Brazilian Modern Armchairs made in Hardwood & Fabric desgned by Michel Arnoult, 1960s are nothing less than spectacular!
They were designed in the 1960’s and ar...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Nylon, Hardwood
Free Shipping
H 29 in W 25.6 in D 29.5 in
4 Vintage Cleo Baldon Style Daystrom Brass Faux Bamboo Lattice Rattan Armchairs
By Cleo Baldon, Daystrom Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
A set of 4 Hollywood Regency armchairs having faux bamboo brass X-form bases with cane wrapped bamboo lattice backrests and neutral tweed soft cushion seats by Daystrom circa 1985. V...
Category
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Materials
Brass
H 36 in W 24 in D 24 in
Monofilo Armchair by Grassi, Conti and Forlani for Emilio Paoli, Italy, 1959
By Luciano Grassi
Located in Argelato, BO
Monofilo chairs are very rare handcrafted creations made from the union of nylon and iron, conceived in post-war Florence they amaze for the extraordinary visionary nature of the pro...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Iron
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 36.62 in
Pair of Michel Arnoult Ouro Preto Armchairs, Brazilian Midcentury, 1964
By Michel Arnoult
Located in Whitstable, GB
Armchair "Ouro Preto"
Manufactured by Mobília Contemporãnea
The Ouro Preto armchair is an important example of Michel Arnoult genius as a designer:
Simple, elegant lines, with ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Nylon, Imbuia
H 29.53 in W 26.78 in D 29.93 in
Set of 4 Alvar Aalto Chairs with Black Straps, Finland, 1960's
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Austin, TX
Set of 4 Model number 45 armchairs, designed in 1947 by Alvar Aalto and manufactured later (1960's?) by Artek. Beech frames and woven black nylon seat and back make a comfortable and...
Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Nylon, Beech
Alvar Aalto Armchairs with Black Straps, Finland, 1960's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Austin, TX
Model 45 armchairs, designed in 1947 by Alvar Aalto and manufactured later by Artek. Beech frames and woven black nylon seat and back make a comfortable and sought after combination ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Nylon, Beech
Chair Model DU41 by Gastone Rinaldi for RIMA, Italy, 1956
By RIMA, Gastone Rinaldi
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
chair dinning bridge or small armchairs model DU41 by the designer Gastone Rinaldi for the editor RIMA in 1956. Blue lacquered, original painting, great patina, brass feet. Chair ref...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass, Metal
Large French Artist Wrought Iron, Wire & Nylon Sculpture Lounge Chair, Ron Arad
By Ron Arad
Located in New York, NY
2 Rare and visionary large, French, modernist, architectural, armchairs / lounge chairs attributed to the French contemporary artist and sculptor, Gerard Coquelin, circa 1990. The ch...
Category
Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Armchairs
Materials
Wire, Wrought Iron
H 44.5 in W 42.75 in D 30 in
Chair "Modus" Tecno Design Ovaldo Borsani Eugenio Gerli, 1970s Rare Version
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno, Eugenio Gerli
Located in taranto, IT
very rare, unique in the world, this original Tecno chair, designed by osvaldo borsani in the 70s
probably a prototype that has never entered the market, there is no such trace in...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 27.56 in W 18.9 in D 19.69 in
Modern Square Frame Oak Armchairs with Original Blush Textured Fabric, Set of 4
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful set of four modern square frame, almost a Parsons style, armchairs comprised of oak, their original blush textured fabric, and chrome and nylon adjustable disc shaped feet....
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
H 29.5 in W 23.5 in D 23 in
Gijs Bakker Webbing Chair for Castelijn, 1978
By Castelijn, Gijs Bakker
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic pair of easy chair designed by Gijs Bakker for Castelijn, Holland, 1978. This chair called webbing chair, but soon got the name seatbelt chair as the seats are made of wove...
Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Beech, Nylon
People Also Browsed
Armchair, Le Bambole, Mario Bellini, B&B
By Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Throughout their history, Le Bambole have seen slight adaptations in shapes, proving that they are able to stay in step with the times. In addition to appearance, comfort is a key de...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Velvet
Reupholstered ‘Alky’ Lounge Chairs in the Style of Giancarlo Piretti
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chairs, fabric, metal, Italy, 1970s
These lounge chairs strongly remind of Giancarlo Piretti’s ‘Alky’ lounge chair (1969), yet they feature characteristic differences. Wherea...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
H 28.55 in W 26.38 in D 29.93 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö.
This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Textile
Klaus Uredat ‘Corbi’ Sofa for COR, Germany – 1969 in New Bouclé Upholstery
By Klaus Uredat, COR
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Rare ‘Corbi’ modular sectional sofa by Klaus Uredat for COR, Germany – circa 1972.
The Corbi sofa consists of sections with roll cushions. It can be used as sofa or as lounge chairs...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Materials
Wool, Bouclé, Cotton
H 23.63 in W 42.52 in D 27.56 in
Caned Dining Table by Danny Ho Fong for Tropi-cal in Iron and Rattan, c 1960s
By Danny Ho Fong, Tropi-cal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This lovely California Modern low dining table by Danny Ho Fong for Tropi-cal features an iron frame that holds a woven cane rattan top, along with a glass pane to use as a solid sur...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Iron
H 26 in W 73 in D 30 in
McGuire Organic Modern Rattan and Cane Back Armchair
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A sinuous rattan framed armchair featuring a woven honeycomb cane back crafted in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire. The chair has a gracefully curved pole ratta...
Category
20th Century American Organic Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Harry Bertoia for Knoll Outdoor 'Side Chair' in Black Coated Steel
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, 'side chair', coated steel, United States, design 1952
This 'side' patio chair is designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952. Executed in black coate...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Materials
Steel
Mid-19th Century Louis XV Carved Walnut Upholstered Armchair from Provence
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study or a bedroom with this elegant antique armchair. Crafted in southern France circa 1860, the comfortable fauteuil sits on cabriole legs decorated with acanthus leaves...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood Parsons Dining Table, Refinished
By John Widdicomb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern burled olive wood Parsons extension dining table
By John Widdicomb
USA, Circa 1970s
Measures: 64"W x 42"D x 29"H. Extends up to 104"W with two 20...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Burl
H 29 in W 104 in D 42 in
Pair of sculptural large wicker armchairs in rattan 20th century
Located in Leicester, GB
A sculptural pair of 20th-century wicker armchairs in rattan. The vintage chairs have gorgeous large open armrests beautifully woven. The wicker armchairs are made with an attractive...
Category
20th Century British Bohemian Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Rattan
Provençal Braided Straw & Linen Club Armchair French Audoux-Minnet Style
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in London, GB
A braided straw armchair from Provence, with newly upholstered seat cushion in textured white linen. In the manner of Adrian Audoux & Frida Minnet. French, c. 1970s.
Category
Vintage 1970s French French Provincial Armchairs
Materials
Linen, Straw
H 33.08 in W 26.78 in D 26.78 in
Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner "Costela" Lounge Chair, Brazil, 1953
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
The Costela armchair is an iconic Brazilian Mid-Century Modern piece. It was designed by Martin Eisler (1913 - 1977) in 1953 and manufactured by the companies Móveis Artesanal and Fo...
Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Hardwood
Andrew Delfino for McGuire Rattan and Leather Armchairs or Dining Chairs, a Pair
By McGuire
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A pair of vintage McGuire rattan and leather arm chairs or dining chairs, featuring Craftsman details. The chairs were designed by Andrew Delfino and have a rich dark tobacco finish ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
H 36 in W 23 in D 24 in
shelf unit italian national walnut of 1970 made by company mobilia
By Mobilia
Located in Medesano, IT
Step into the 70's with our Italian National Walnut Shelf Unit, crafted by Mobilia Company! A perfect blend of function, style and a dash of nostalgia, it's more than just a piece of...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Materials
Walnut
No Reserve
H 72.45 in W 72.84 in D 16.54 in
Marquesa Beench by Oscar Niemeyer, Mid-Century Modern-Vintage 1978
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Houston, TX
Currently available for acquisition, this exquisitely crafted Mid-Century Modern masterpiece, known as the "Marquesa," represents an embodiment of the remarkable design acumen of Osc...
Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Cane, Hardwood, Lacquer
Mid-Century Modern White Castiron Homecrest Wire Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Homecrest
Located in Esperance, NY
Great set of original homecrest wire chairs, the chairs are made out of CastIron and come with two cushions.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
Recent Sales
Thonet Armchair by Josef Frank, Austria, circa 1930
By Frank Josef, Thonet
Located in Zbiroh, CZ
Thonet armchair designed by Josef Frank in 1930s. Skelet made from beechwood, seat and backrest made from nylon string - not original. Bended beechwood is in original, very nice, vin...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Armchairs
Materials
Nylon, Beech
Pair of Knoll Studio RED Wassily Chairs, Model B3
By Knoll
Located in Canaan, CT
Pair of Wassily chairs in RED offer a nice flip to the usual black or brown leather you typically see. they are lightly used and in very good condition.
frames are excellent conditi...
Category
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Robsjohn-Gibbings Chairs
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Harbor Springs, MI
Pair of Walnut Chairs by T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings for John Widdicomb, circa 1950. New webbing and upholstery. Fabric by Dedar-Mindanao. 100 percent poliamide/nylon.
Category
Vintage 1950s Unknown Armchairs
Materials
Nylon
Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia UP5 Black Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Restored, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Milano, IT
First designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969 for a few years before being discontinued, the lounge chair and pouf UP5, also known as Big Mama, Blow Up and Donna, was reissued in 2000 by B...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Jute, Nylon
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
Vintage Bentwood Armchair by Joseph Hoffmann for Stendig
By Josef Hoffmann, Stendig Co.
Located in Dorchester, MA
This Classic bentwood armchair, designed in 1925 by Josef Hoffmann in collaboration with Josef Frank and manufactured in the 1950s by Stendig, features a warm beechwood frame and a r...
Category
Vintage 1950s Czech Bauhaus Armchairs
Materials
Nylon, Bentwood
Pair of Vintage Bentwood Armchairs by Joseph Hoffmann for Stendig
By Josef Hoffmann, Stendig Co.
Located in Dorchester, MA
These Classic bentwood armchairs, designed in 1925 by Josef Hoffmann in collaboration with Josef Frank and manufactured in the 1950s by Stendig, feature beechwood frames and rare han...
Category
Vintage 1950s Czech Bauhaus Armchairs
Materials
Nylon, Bentwood
Vintage Jens Risom Armchair for Knoll
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage armchair with an ebony finished frame and matching black nylon straps. Designed by Jens Risom in 1943 for Knoll International using inexpensive wartime materials.
Category
Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs
Materials
Nylon, Maple
Set of Gaetano Pesce's Nobody's Royal Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Pasadena, TX
A set of Gaetano Pesce furniture consisting of a Nobody's Royal King armchair, a Nobody's Royal Queen armchair, and a Nobody's Pouf ottoman.
Made by Zerodisegno.
Each piece is uni...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Nylon, Resin
Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia UP5 Black Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Restored, 1970s
By Gaetano Pesce, B&B Italia
Located in Milano, IT
First designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1969 for a few years before being discontinued, the lounge chair and pouf UP5, also known as Big Mama, Blow Up and Donna, was reissued in 2000 by B...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Jute, Nylon
H 40.56 in W 47.25 in D 51.19 in
Pair of Kontour Armchairs in Nylon by Alf Svensson, Germany, circa 1950
By Alf Svensson
Located in Culver City, CA
Pair of Kontour Armchairs in Reupholstered Nylon by Alf Svensson, circa 1950
Tall-back modern forms with the ability to recline. Newly upholstered in Maharam Lithe nylon in Blazer...
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Nylon
Pair of Jean Gillon 'Jangada' Brazilian Armchairs and Ottomans
By Jean Gillon
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Gillon, 'Jangada' pair of armchairs and ottomans, rosewood, nylon rope, leather, Brazil, 1968.
These robust and hefty armchairs are designed by Jean Gillon. The originality o...
Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Leather, Nylon, Wood
Josef Hoffman Prague 811 Armchairs by Stendig
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Josef Hoffman Prague 811 chairs by Stendig from the 1960s with hand tied nylon "caning" all original and in excellent condition. Chairs have both Stendig paper label and made in Czec...
Category
Vintage 1920s Czech Bauhaus Chairs
Materials
Nylon, Birch
Hans Olsen Easy Chair Pair for Vatne Mobler, Denmark, 1960
By Vatne Møbler, Hans Olsen
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Pair of easy chairs designed by Hans Olsen, manufactured by Vatne Mobler, Denmark 1960. These chairs have solid rosewood frames and leather cushions. The cushions are newly colored i...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Nylon, Rosewood
Pair of Walter Lamb Arm Lounge Chairs Rare Thick Tube
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a pair of Walter Lamb lounge armchairs, constructed with thick tubing.
Chairs have the original vintage patina and have signs of wear.
New black satin ro...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Set of Six Eames Dax Herman Miller Dining Armchairs
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in London, Greater London
A group of six fibreglass DAX armchairs in varying colors designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1948 and produced in 1950 by Herman Miller.
Shells are in very good or excellent or...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Steel
Near Mint Herman Miller Eames Seafoam Green DAR Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Herman Miller Eames Seafoam Green fiberglass DAR chair. Eiffel base with original glides. Original mounts and screws. Round medallion label. 1950s shell with incredibly high fiber co...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Russell Spanner "Ruspan" Chair, 1950s
By Russell Spanner
Located in Washington, DC
Original Russell Spanner "Ruspan" chair. Chair is in excellent original condition with all original hardware. Nylon strapping has been replaced.
Category
Vintage 1950s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Nylon, Birch
Set of Six Walter Lamb Armchairs
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Danville, CA
Set of six bronze armchairs with nylon flagline seats and backrests by Walter Lamb. This set has the nylon cord option rather than the cotton, which can be cleaned and treated to mi...
Category
Vintage 1960s British Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Three Piece Set Of Gaetano Pesce Furniture
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Pasadena, TX
A matching set of Gaetano Pesce furniture consisting of a Nobody's Royal King armchair, a Nobody's Royal Queen armchair, and a Nobody's Pouf ottoman. Made by Zerodisegno. Each piec...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Nylon, Resin
String Chair by Conti Forlani and Grassi for Paoli, Designed in 1962
By Sergio Conti
Located in Paris, FR
A sculpture armchair called "string chair – P8a," by Luciano Grassi, Sergio Conti, Marisa Forlani, Edit.F. Paoli, Italia, designed in 1962.
Rotating black lacquered steel tubular st...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Armchairs
Materials
Steel
H 33.47 in W 40.16 in D 37.41 in
Eames Arm Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A matching pair of Eames arm chairs upholstered in a Carmel / taupe tone naugahyde with gringe fiberglass backs sitting on aluminum star bases with nylon foot pads . Manufactured by ...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Eames Chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of Eames swiveling arm shell chairs,white backs and upholstered in a pumpkin colored naugahyde sitting on aluminum star bases with nylon foot pads. Manufactured by the Herman ...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Eames Armshell with Alexander Girard Fabric and La Fonda Base
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard
Located in Highland, IN
This uncommon white fiberglass armchair is very striking with it's black polynit fabric upholstery designed by Alexander Girard and La Fonda base. In very good original condition, th...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Eames Aluminum Group Armchairs in Girard Fabric by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Highland, IN
June 17th marks the 107th anniversary of Charles Eames birth. In celebration, this month we will be featuring some great examples of designs by Charles and his wife Ray.
Please cli...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Aluminum
Impressive "Triennale" Armchairs by Ammannati and Vitelli for Rossi di Albizzate
By Giampiero Vitelli, Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Milan, IT
Rare pair of "Triennale" armchairs by Titina Ammannati and Giampiero Vitelli for Rossi di Albizzate.
White lacquered plywood frame with beautiful craquele surface
Nylon elements lo...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Nylon
H 33.08 in W 31.5 in D 29.14 in
Mid-century Modern Brown Jordan Patio Chairs (pair)
Located in Madison, WI
Mid-century Modern Brown Jordan patio chairs (pair) in black and white nylon webbing on original white paint, steel frames.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Paul McCobb faceted form chairs with spider bases
By Paul McCobb
Located in Highland, IN
McCobb's fiberglass chairs features angular lines that earned them the nickname "Origami" chairs and makes them stand out as an interesting contrast to the organic lines of the Eames...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Lounge Chairs
Materials
Iron
Mario Botta Seconda 602 chair for Alias 1979
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mario Botta (born 1943-) iconic late seventies design for Alias.
Hi-tech skeletal metal chair with large black cylindrical rubber back rests. Euclidean and unapologetic class...
Hi-tech skeletal metal chair with large black cylindrical rubber back rests. Euclidean and unapologetic class...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Armchairs
Materials
Nylon
Hans Wegner Desk Chair for Getama
Located in San Francisco, CA
Wegner delivers his classic masculine lines and uncomplicated ergonomics. This unusual example is recently quoted by Urquiola with her bold lounge interpretation, see other Modern Ar...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Lacquer, Latex, Nylon
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "20th Century Nylon Armchairs", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
20th Century Nylon Armchairs For Sale on 1stDibs
An assortment of 20th century nylon armchairs is available at 1stDibs. Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Scandinavian Modern 20th century nylon armchairs are consistently popular styles. Many 20th century nylon armchairs are appealing in their simplicity, but Charles and Ray Eames, Josef Hoffmann and Herman Miller produced popular 20th century nylon armchairs that are worth a look.
How Much are 20th Century Nylon Armchairs?
The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $2,450, while they’re typically $795 on the low end and $26,400 highest priced.
Finding the Right Armchairs for You
Armchairs have run the gamut from prestige to ease and everything in between, and everyone has an antique or vintage armchair that they love.
Long before industrial mass production democratized seating, armchairs conveyed status and power.
In ancient Egypt, the commoners took stools, while in early Greece, ceremonial chairs of carved marble were designated for nobility. But the high-backed early thrones of yore, elevated and ornate, were merely grandiose iterations of today’s armchairs.
Modern-day armchairs, built with functionality and comfort in mind, are now central to tasks throughout your home. Formal dining armchairs support your guests at a table for a cheery feast, a good drafting chair with a deep seat is parked in front of an easel where you create art and, elsewhere, an ergonomic wonder of sorts positions you at the desk for your 9 to 5.
When placed under just the right lamp where you can lounge comfortably, both elbows resting on the padded supports on each side of you, an upholstered armchair — or a rattan armchair for your light-suffused sunroom — can be the sanctuary where you’ll read for hours.
If you’re in the mood for company, your velvet chesterfield armchair is a place to relax and be part of the conversation that swirls around you. Maybe the dialogue is about the beloved Papa Bear chair, a mid-century modern masterpiece from Danish carpenter and furniture maker Hans Wegner, and the wingback’s strong association with the concept of cozying up by the fireplace, which we can trace back to its origins in 1600s-era England, when the seat’s distinctive arm protrusions protected the sitter from the heat of the period’s large fireplaces.
If the fireside armchair chat involves spirited comparisons, your companions will likely probe the merits of antique and vintage armchairs such as Queen Anne armchairs, Victorian armchairs or even Louis XVI armchairs, as well as the pros and cons of restoration versus conservation.
Everyone seems to have a favorite armchair and most people will be all too willing to talk about their beloved design. Whether that’s the unique Favela chair by Brazilian sibling furniture designers Fernando and Humberto Campana, who repurposed everyday objects to provocative effect; or Marcel Breuer’s futuristic tubular metal Wassily lounge chair; the functionality-first LC series from Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret; or the Eames lounge chair of the mid-1950s created by Charles and Ray Eames, there is an iconic armchair for everyone and every purpose. Find yours on 1stDibs right now.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.
Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.
More Ways To Browse
Blush Dining Chair
Blue Jean Chair
Vintage Yellow Table And Chairs
Dining Chair Webbing
Faux Bamboo Dining Set
Mid Century Vanity Chair
Midcentury Vanity Chair
Italian Wire Chair
Retro Parsons Chairs
Mario Bellini Blue
Scarpa Book
Chrome Frame Side Chair Set
Dining Arm Chairs Curved Legs
Prouve Armchair
Vintage Cane Bamboo Armchair
Vintage Hoffmann Chair
Woven Strap Chair
Floating Chairs Chrome