Bow Arm Chair
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Club Chairs
Wood, Oak
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Early 1900s British Country Chairs
Elm
Vintage 1920s American American Craftsman Windsor Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1970s American American Classical Side Chairs
Maple
20th Century Country Windsor Chairs
Bentwood
Late 20th Century Louis XVI Side Chairs
Bronze
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut, Lacquer
2010s Canadian Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool, Ash
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Swivel Chairs
Pine
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Cord, Hardwood
2010s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Cord, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Country Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Windsor Chairs
Ash
2010s European Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Cord, Hardwood
2010s Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Swedish Empire Side Chairs
Wood, Giltwood, Upholstery
Vintage 1950s American Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Teak
Mid-20th Century Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Rattan
Antique 19th Century English Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
2010s British Chairs
Ash
2010s British Chairs
Ash
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Wood, Giltwood
Antique 1830s English Country Windsor Chairs
Elm, Yew
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
Fruitwood, Fabric
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Armchairs
Ash, Elm
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Beech, Paint, Upholstery
Antique 1850s English Armchairs
Beech
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Armchairs
Elm, Oak
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Oak
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Armchairs
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Louis XVI Armchairs
Wood, Paint
20th Century Italian Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Ash, Elm, Yew
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Giltwood
Antique 1820s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Velvet, Tapestry, Wood, Giltwood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Wood, Upholstery
Antique Mid-18th Century American Chippendale Armchairs
Rush, Maple
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Silk, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Living Room Sets
Ormolu
Antique Late 18th Century English Sheraton Armchairs
Fabric, Hardwood, Boxwood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Upholstery, Beech
20th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Textile, Silk, Wood, Beech
Antique Late 19th Century French Armchairs
Wood, Leather
Antique Late 19th Century French Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Antique 18th Century American Queen Anne Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 1790s Italian Neoclassical Armchairs
Wool, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Armchairs
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century English Chairs
Elm
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American American Classical Windsor Chairs
Oak
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Bow Arm Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Bow 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 bow back chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bow back chair refers to a silhouette of a chair with a curved back and is usually made with high-quality wood. Bow back chairs were popular during the colonial period and are representative of American-Amish heritage. Browse a range of vintage bow back 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 ExpertMarch 31, 2023There is no difference between a club chair and an armchair; a club chair is a type of armchair. An armchair is any chair with arms, while a club chair is a wide, comfortable type of armchair that is typically clad in leather and features thick upholstery. All club chairs are armchairs, but not all armchairs are club chairs. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of club chairs.
- 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 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 ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Dining room chairs with arms require more space than armless ones.
- 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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