Arne Norell Ilona Oak and Cognac Leather Campaign Safari Chair, Sweden, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Ilona campaign safari chair rendered in a turned oak frame with cognac leather back, side, buckle straps and button removable loose cushions.
Metal, Brass
$17,122 / set
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Ilona, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ilona easy chairs with original leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, 1970s.
Leather, Ash
Two 1960s Ilona Chairs in Tan Leather by Arne Norell
By Arne Norell
Located in London, GB
A pair of striking 1960s "Ilona" chairs by Swedish designer Arne Norell.
Leather, Beech
Pair Arne Norell "Ilona" Chairs
By Arne Norell
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Pair Arne Norell "Ilona" Chairs Original beautifully patinated leather.
Leather
1960s 'Ilona' Chair by Swedish Designer Arne Norell
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Hitchin, England
A 1960s 'Ilona' chair by Swedish designer Arne Norell. Featuring jacaranda-stained beech, brass buckles and saddle leather.
Leather, Beech
Sold
H 32.68 in W 33.08 in D 31.5 in
1960s 'Ilona' Chair and Footstool by Swedish Designer Arne Norell
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Hitchin, England
A 1960s 'Ilona' chair and footstool by Swedish designer Arne Norell.
Leather, Beech
"Ilona" Arne Norell Chair
By Arne Norell
Located in Napa, CA
"Ilona" chair designed by Arne Norell, Sweden 1971.
Leather
Black Arne Norell Chair Model Ilona
Located in Nashville, TN
Arne Norell chair, model Ilona in black leather. Black leather strapping on a stained birch frame.
Ilona Lounge Chair by Arne Norell, Sweden, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Debrecen, HU
The Ilona lounge chair, conceived by renowned Swedish designer Arne Norell, embodies timeless Scandinavian elegance.
Leather, Wood, Fabric
Arne Norell 'Ilona' Lounge Chairs for Norrell Mobel AB, Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of stunning leather and rosewood 'Ilona' lounge chairs by Arne Norell, circa 1971.
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 35.44 in D 32.68 in
Arne Norell Easy Chairs, Model Ilona by Arne Norell AB in Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of easy chairs model Ilona designed by Arne Norell. Produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden.
Brass
Arne Norell Ilona Easy Chairs in Black Leather by Norell AB in Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of Ilona easy chairs in dark stained beech and black leather designed by Arne Norell.
Brass
Arne Norell Safari 1960s Chair Model Ilona in Cream and Tan Leather
By Arne Norell
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful 1960s safari chair in cream and tan leather and blond beech wood designed by Arne Norell in the 1960s for Norell Mobler, Sweden. The chair is assembled without any screws o...
Leather, Beech
Leather Lounge Chair Model ‘Ilona’ by Arne Norell, 1960
By Aneby Mobler, Arne Norell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning leather lounge chair designed by Arne Norell in the early 1960s and produced by Aneby Møbler, Sweden, with thick, cognac colored leather cushions on saddle leather sling sup...
Brass
ARNE NORELL 3 Seater Sofa 1960's
By Arne Norell
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Leather sofa manufactured by Swedish designer Arne Norell for the leather company Coja between 1963 and 1968.Norell is best known for the Ilona sofa and the Safari chair, but it is t...
Leather, Teak
Pair of Arne Norell Ilona Chairs, Sweden, 1970s
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original pair of Arne Norell Ilona chairs with cushions in original fabric. Made by Norell Mobler in Sweden.
Brass
1960's 'Ilona' Chair by Swedish Designer Arne Norell
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Hitchin, England
A 1960s 'Ilona' chair by Swedish designer Arne Norell. Featuring stained beech, brass buckles and saddle leather with 4 loose cushions.
Leather, Beech
Two Swedish 1960s "Ilona" Safari Chairs by Arne Norell
By Kaare Klint, Arne Norell
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A pair of striking 1960s "Ilona" chairs by Swedish designer Arne Norell.
Leather, Hardwood
Arne Norell 'Ilona' Club Chair
By Arne Norell
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Norell, 'Ilona' lounge chair, beech, leather, Sweden, 1960s.
Leather, Wood
Arne Norell 'Ilona' Club Chairs
By Arne Norell
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Norell, set of two 'Ilona' lounge chairs, in rosewood and leather, Sweden, 1960s.
Leather, Rosewood
Arne Norell Leather Lounge Chairs Model 'Ilona'
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Los Angeles, CA
stunning pair of leather armchairs designed in the early 1960s designed and produced by Norell Möbel AB, Sweden, with thick tufted leather cushions on saddle leather sling supports w...
Brass
Ilona Lounge Chair in Leather by Arne Norell
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Lejre, DK
Lounge chair in beautiful patinated leather, wood frame and brass hardware.
Leather
Ilona Lounge Chair in Leather by Arne Norell
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Lejre, DK
Lounge chair in beautiful patinated leather, wood frame and brass hardware.
Brass
Two Swedish 1960s "Ilona" Lounge Chairs Attr. Arne Norell
By Arne Norell
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
Two imposing 1960s "Ilona" lounge chairs attributed to Swedish designer Arne Norell.
Leather, Beech
Pair of Ilona Lounge Chairs by Arne Norell, Sweden, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Debrecen, HU
Offered as a pair, these Ilona Lounge Chairs by renowned Swedish designer Arne Norell embody timeless Scandinavian elegance.
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Arne Norell Easy Chair Model Ilona by Arne Norell AB in Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy chair model Ilona designed by Arne Norell. Produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden.
Leather, Beech
Arne Norell Safari Chair Model Ilona in Brown Leather and Beech
By Norell Möbel AB, Arne Norell
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful 1960s safari chair in brown and olive colored leather and stained beechwood designed by Arne Norell in the 1960s for Norell Mobler, Sweden. The chair is assembled without a...
Leather, Beech
Ilona Lounge Chairs by Arne Norell for Norrell Mobel AB, 1960
By Arne Norell
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Maskuline leather chairs designed by Arne Norell in the 1960s, produced in Sweden. Featuring thick brown leather cushions on saddle leather sling supports with brass hardware, the st...
Brass
Ilona Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Arne Norell for Scanform, Columbia
By Scanform, Arne Norell
Located in New York, NY
Illona lounge chair and Ottoman by Arne Norell for Scanform, Columbia in Caramel Brown Leather. Ottoman: 17"H x 29"W x 24"D
Leather, Teak
Sold
H 30.71 in W 32.09 in D 28.75 in
Arne Norell “Ilona” Lounge Chair in Stained Beech and Leather, Mid 20th Century
By Arne Norell, Aneby Mobler
Located in Odense, DK
A fine example of a mid-century Scandinavian lounge chair designed by Arne Norell. This Ilona model combines elegant form with great comfort.
Leather, Beech
Arne Norell Easy Chair, Model Ilona, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ilona easy chair with original leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, 1970s.
Leather, Ash
Arne Norell 'Ilona' easy chair & ottoman, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ilona easy chair & ottoman, original fabric and leather.
Leather, Ash
Arne Norell Easy Chair Model Ilona, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ilona easy chairs designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden.
Leather, Ash
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Ilona, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ilona easy chairs with original brown leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, 1970s.
Leather, Fabric, Ash
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Ilona, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ilona easy chairs with original brown leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, 1970s.
Leather, Ash
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Ilona, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Ilona easy chairs in patinated original buffalo rusty brown leather.
Brass
Two 1960s "Ilona" chairs by Arne Norell
By Arne Norell
Located in London, GB
A pair of striking 1960s "Ilona" chairs by Swedish designer Arne Norell.
Beech, Leather
Pair of Arne Norell "Ilona" Safari Chairs
By Arne Norell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of "Ilona" safari style chairs by Arne Norell. Dark stained rosewood frames with rich dark chocolate leather cushions and aged brass buckles.
Arne Norell Ilona Saddle Leather Safari Chair, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Hudson, NY
A classic design and one of the masterpieces from Arne Norell who designed the Ilona safar chair in 1971 and made with the strength of saddle leather and loose cushions with perfect ...
Leather, Beech
Sold
H 32 in W 32.5 in D 30 in
Beautifully Conditioned Ilona Lounge Chair by Arne Norell, Sweden, circa 1960
By Arne Norell
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully conditioned Ilona lounge chair by Arne Norell, Sweden, circa 1960.
Brass
Pair of Arne Norell "Ilona" Safari Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of "Ilona" safari style chairs by Arne Norell. Blonde beechwood frames with rich cognac leather cushions and aged brass buckles.
"Ilona" Arne Norell Sofa and Chair Set
By Arne Norell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The cushions appear to have been remade in the 1970s, they are not in perfect condition, showing areas of wear, and can certainly be remade and improved upon... but we like this orig...
Two Seater Sofa and Club Chair, Model Ilona by Arne Norell
By Arne Norell
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Love seat and club chair in dark stained beach and brown leather upholstery
Leather, Upholstery
Sold
H 29.53 in W 32.68 in D 29.53 in
Green Leather Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chair by Göte Möbel, Sweden, 1970s
By Torbjørn Afdal, Arne Norell, Göte Möbler Nässjö
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The designer is yet unknown to us, but it has some resemblances to the designs by other Scandinavian designers like Arne Norell, Eric Merthen and Ingmar Relling. In particular the Il...
Leather, Canvas, Wood
Pair of 1960s Ilona Chairs by Arne Norell
By Arne Norell
Located in London, GB
A pair of 1960s "Ilona" safari chairs by Arne Norell for Aneby Mobler.
Leather, Beech
Two "Ilona" Lounge Chairs by Arne Norell
By Arne Norell
Located in London, GB
Two striking 1970s "Ilona" chairs by Swedish designer Arne Norell in tan and brown leather respectively.
Leather, Beech
Arne Norell Easy Chair Model Ilona Sweden, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Debrecen-Pallag, HU
A 1960s 'Ilona' chair by Swedish designer Arne Norell. Featuring stained beech and saddle leather with 4 loose cushions.
Leather, Fabric, Wood
$2,967
H 28.35 in W 27.17 in D 26.38 in
Arne Norell Sirocco Brown Safari Lounge Chair in Rosewood, Sweden 1970s.
By Aneby Mobler, Arne Norell
Located in Asaa, DK
Arne Norell Sirocco Brown Safari Lounge Chair in Rosewood, Sweden 1970s. Swedish Safari easy chair model Sirocco with original chocolate colored leather. Designed by Arne Norell 196...
Leather, Santos Rosewood
Inca Easy Chair by Arne Norell, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
The very comfortable "Inca" chair in original buffalo leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Norell Möbel AB in Aneby, Sweden.
Brass
Inca Easy Chair by Arne Norell, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
The very comfortable "Inca" chair in original buffalo leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Norell Möbel AB in Aneby, Sweden.
Brass
$5,500 / set
H 28.15 in W 25.99 in D 27.56 in
Arne Norell, Pair of Sirocco Lounge Chairs, Leather & Ash, AB Aneby, 1960s
By Aneby Mobler, Arne Norell
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful pair of safari chairs designed by Arne Norell and produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, during the 1960s. The chairs are crafted with a solid frame in ash and a wa...
Brass
Arne Norell 'Inca' Lounge Chair in original leather
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Arne Norell, 'Inca' lounge chair, leather, beech, Sweden, 1965. The iconic 'Inca' lounge chair in original leather, designed by Arne Norell. The back features thick buffalo leather...
Leather, Beech
Arne Norell Inca Easy Chairs, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of the very comfortable Inca chair in patinated brown original buffalo leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Norell Möbel AB in Aneby, Sweden. Signed. Very good vintag...
Brass
Pair of USA-75 by Folke Olsson for DUX, Sweden, 1960s
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Swedish armchairs in walnut by Folke Ohlsson, produced by DUX, 1960s. Very good vintage condition with small signs of usage and patina.
Teak
Arne Norell Easy Chair Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Safari chair model Sirocco in good condition. Original cognac leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, 1970s.
Brass
$9,417 / set
H 29.53 in W 37.41 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Indra Easy Chairs in Beech, Brass & Leather by Arne Norell, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare pair of Indra easy chairs, designed by Arne Norell and produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, is a compelling example of mid-century Swedish design where material ric...
Brass
$4,200
H 28.25 in W 26.75 in D 26.25 in
Vintage Rosewood and Leather "Sirocco" Lounge Chair by Arne Norell
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing a stunning vintage leather lounge chair designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden. This exquisite piece, known as the Sirocco, embodies the tim...
Brass
Safari Chair by Kaare Klindt in Cognac Leather
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Karlstad, SE
Classic Safari chair by Kaare Klindt, manufactured by Rud Rasmusen, Denmark. This chair shows perfect original patina on the leather. Condition: The leather is well taken care of an...
Leather, Ash
Kaare Klint Leather Safari Chair, 1960s
By Kaare Klint
Located in Stockholm, SE
Kaare Klint "Safari chair" in patinated original cognac brown leather. Designed by Kaare Klint in 1933, produced by Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark.
Leather
Pair of Arne Norell "Inca" Easy Chairs, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of the very comfortable Inca chair with patinated original black leather and original fabric. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Norell Möbel AB in Aneby, Sweden.
Brass
$2,625
H 32.09 in W 28.35 in D 27.96 in
Mid-Century Safari Chair Brown, Wood, Leather Lounge Chair, 1960s, Scandinavia
By Arne Norell
Located in Andernach, DE
Fantastic original 1960s design, in a robust Scandinavian hunting or Safari chair style. Quite unusual and beautiful composition of high end materials & craftsmanship indeed. Rus...
Leather
Pair of Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Sirocco, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of safari chairs model Sirocco in good condition with original leather. Designed by Arne Norell, produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden, 1970s.
Brass
Safari Chair by Arne Norell Sweden, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Beautiful safari chair designed by Arne Norell and produced in Sweden during the 1960s. Crafted from solid ash with original leather seat, backrest, and arm straps, the chair embodie...
Leather, Ash
Carnival Midway Sideshow Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Original hand-painted canvas sideshow banner for carnival midway sideshow entrance. Not signed but most likely out of Chicago Tent and Awning's banner shop. Original wood strip attac...
Canvas
$850
H 36 in Dm 10.38 in
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Butterfly Tall Lamp, Signature Original Condition
Located in Highwood, IL
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Butterfly Tall Lamp, Signature In Original Unrestored Condition. Generally we are not at a loss of words to describe an item, but this one is a stretch. ...
Metal
$5,850
H 11.7 in Dm 31 in
Contemporary Organic Sculptural Minimalist Reclaimed Teak Wood Coffee Table CEU
By CEU Studio
Located in New York, NY
Low Slab Table by CEU Represented by Tuleste Factory The item is customizable by size and finish Low Slab 31: 31" dia x .11.7" H Low Slab 33: 33" dia x 11.5" H Slab 36: 36 dia x...
Wood
Fantastic Six-Piece Sectional Sofa by Preview
By Preview
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fantastic six-piece Preview sectional sofa. This set will need to be re-upholstered but that's what you designers are looking for right? Great for that smaller space or add to a sect...
Upholstery
$2,840
H 33.86 in W 41.54 in D 11.82 in
Antique Spanish Carved Walnut Cabinet with Drawer and Two Doors
Located in Miami, FL
This exceptional antique Spanish cabinet is handcrafted from solid walnut and beautifully showcases the bold architectural character and fine craftsmanship of traditional Spanish fur...
Walnut
Gorgeous Wall HangingDisplay Shelf by Phillip Lloyd Powell
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Amazing wall mounted shelf hand crafted in black walnut by Phillip Powell. Signature dovetailed edges and choice walnut stand in contrast with the grass cloth backing. Sculptural she...
Walnut
Swedish Designer, Wall Light, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine wall light designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 9.0"H x 5.5"W x 7.0"D Back Plate Dimensions (Inches): 5.0"H x 2.0"W x 0.5"D Bulb Specific...
Pine
Antique Carved Walnut Chandelier
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite antique carved walnut chandelier is a rare and elegant lighting piece that captures the grandeur of Old World craftsmanship. Expertly hand-carved from solid walnut, th...
Walnut
1970s Leolux Master Buffalo Leather Brutalist Swivel Lounge Chair
By Leolux
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century swivel lounge chair by Leolux, produced in the 1970s and upholstered in buffalo leather throughout. The wide, deeply scooped seat shell flares dramatically at the s...
Metal, Enamel
$18,150 / set
H 33.08 in W 34.65 in D 35.04 in L 33.08 in
Mp 81 Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer, Lafer
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Percival Lafer MP-81 Lounge Chair and Ottoman Brazil, circa 1970s An iconic MP-81 lounge chair with matching ottoman designed by Percival Lafer and produced by Móveis Lafer, Brazil,...
Leather, Imbuia
$2,267
H 61.42 in W 26.38 in D 14.97 in
Vintage Dutch Oak Haberdashery Shop Cabinet / Vitrine Drop Down Doors, 1930s
Located in Nijmegen, NL
This haberdashery cabinet was produced during the 1930s in the Netherlands. It features 14 drop down doors in oak with glass fronts and oak handles. It was originally used in a wareh...
Oak
Early Eames LCW with Evans Label
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An early iconic design. The LCW designed by Charles and Ray Eames manufactured by Evans for Herman Miller. This piece is being sold in found condition with original Evans labeling. F...
Wood
$1,757
H 33.47 in W 13.78 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century French Mediterranean Tripod Side Chair by Audoux-Minet
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Basel, BS
A captivating modernist tripod side chair designed by the legendary French-Swiss design duo Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet. Handcrafted in the South of France during the 1950s, this...
Rope, Oak
Austrian 1940s Golden Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful 1940s Austrian brass and custard glass chandelier. The fixture has swooping arms holding wonderful blown glass custard shades with ruffled edges.
Brass
Mid-Century Brass and Hand-Stitched Leather Floor Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Brass and Hand-Stitched Leather Floor Lamp with Shade.
Brass
$331 / item
H 19.69 in W 1.97 in D 3.15 in
Pierre Forsell 'Skultuna' candle wall light Sweden 1960 Signed
By Pierre Forsell
Located in Paris, IDF
Brass Swedish wall mounted candle holders designed by Pierre Forsell and manufactured by Skultuna, 1955s. Model - Pendal No 71. Good Condition. 7 pieces available. Price by item. ...
Brass
Arne Norell’s enduring designs mixed leather and metal as well as turned wood and bentwood in pieces that allowed the natural beauty of these materials to shine. Simple and casual yet sophisticated, his vintage sofas, lounge chairs and other furniture epitomize the Scandinavian modern style that took post–World War II design by storm.
Although he created versatile furnishings that promoted comfort along with style, Norell is lesser known than many other mid-century designers, with some of his work produced only after his death. Born in Åsele, Sweden, Norell opened a furniture workshop in Solna, just north of Stockholm, in 1954. In 1958, he established Møbel AB Arne Norell on a farm in Småland. (This region is also the birthplace of IKEA, which opened its first store that same year.) The beauty and tranquility of this location were a source of inspiration.
In Småland, Norell created his most well-known designs, among them the Inca armchair with visible wooden dowels and plush leather, the Indra and Ilona sofas and the spare but elegant wood-framed Sirocco chair (1964). For many of his designs, Norell looked to the same military-style campaign furniture that had, decades prior, inspired the revered Safari chair (1933) crafted by Kaare Klint, a legendary Danish designer and Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts professor who taught the likes of Hans Wegner, Ole Wanscher and others.
Like these earlier furniture designers, Norell was committed to making comfortable and practical furniture. Using leather and warm woods as the building blocks of his work, he eschewed glue and screws, instead securing his designs with buckles and leather straps. In 1973, Norell earned posthumous recognition from the British Furniture Manufacturers Association for his sumptuous Ari chair, a luxurious lounge set on a chrome-plated steel frame with foam cushions covered in leather.
During his lifetime, Norell’s work was popular among European interior designers. However, it became more widely known after 1971, when many of his designs were finally put into production. Norell’s furnishings, as well as work by his daughter Marie Norell-Möller and other Swedish designers, are still crafted by hand in the Aneby, Sweden, factory operated by Norell Furniture, which has remained a family-run company.
Find a collection of authentic vintage Arne Norell furniture today on 1stDibs.
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.