What is an antique Bergère chair?

An antique Bergère chair is a Victorian-era French armchair, often with upholstered armrests and a removable seat cushion. The curved back of this chair would be crafted with wicker. Shop a collection of Bergère chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

How can you tell if a dining chair is antique?

To tell if a dining chair is antique, first look for markings that can help you identify the maker. You will normally find these under the seat. By using information published on trusted online resources, you can research the markings to learn who made the chair and when the maker was active. Any dining chair made 100 years ago or earlier is an antique. Another way to identify antique chairs is to examine their details closely. Most antique dining chairs are handmade, so you can expect to see subtle tool markings and slight irregularities. A lack of these characteristics may indicate that a dining chair is machine-made and less likely to be an antique. For assistance with dating your dining chairs, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique dining chairs.

How do I find out what my antique chair is worth?

To find out what your antique chair is worth, you can conduct research using trusted online resources. Specifically, study the sales history for pieces similar to yours in terms of maker, age, style and type. Because the condition of your chair will also impact its value, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer inspect and evaluate your piece. Find a collection of antique chairs on 1stDibs.

How can you tell how old an antique chair is?

To tell how old an antique chair is, you have a few options. One is to conduct research on your own using trusted online resources and print references from your local library. If your chair has a maker's mark, learning more about the company, artisan or workshop that produced it can be a good starting point. Dating unmarked chairs can be more difficult because certain styles remained in production for long periods. In this case, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate your chair for you. Shop a wide range of antique chairs on 1stDibs.

How do you tell if your rocking chair is an antique?

To tell if your rocking chair is an antique, search the back, rockers and the underside of the seat for a label, stamp or other marking. If you locate one, conduct online research using trusted resources to learn about the maker. By finding out when the manufacturer produced chairs similar to yours, you may be able to determine if your chair is at least 100 years old, making it an antique. If you cannot find a maker's mark, consider contacting a certified appraiser or antique dealer and asking them to date your piece for you. Explore a range of antique rocking chairs on 1stDibs.

How much is an antique barber chair worth?

Depending on the quality, age, and model, Koken vintage barber chairs can sell for $500 to $6000. Older chairs will often have a higher value.

How much is my antique high chair worth?

There is no universal guideline for determining the value of antique high chairs. Typically, high chairs can cost anywhere between $50 and $500. The price of a high chair is determined by the condition of the chair, its construction, whether or not all parts are intact and its desirability.

What did antique carver chairs originally look like?

The design has changed over the years, but most antique carver chairs were made of wood . Antique carver chairs were wide chairs made in 17th century New England — with backs that featured several supporting spindles — although there were no spindles between the armrests and the seat. Antique carver chairs were typically topped with decorative ornaments.

Antique Handmade Chairs

19th Century Iron Chairs

Handmade Wood Side Tables

$2,704

A pair of Arts and crafts ladder back chairs early 1900’s England

By William Morris (English)

Located in London, GB

The clean lines and rustic materials of these chairs align with that ethos. Influences can be traced to craftsmen like Philip Clissett, whose handmade ladderback chairs inspired desi...

Category

Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Handmade Chairs

Materials

Rush, Wood

Handcrafted Sculptural Wooden Armchair, Germany, 1920s

$1,655

Handcrafted Sculptural Wooden Armchair, Germany, 1920s

Located in Madrid, ES

Its curved armrests and elevated backrest emphasize its sculptural character while maintaining functional use as a seating piece. The chair was handmade using the remains of old far...

Category

1920s German Antique Handmade Chairs

Materials

Materials

Beech, Rope

Side Chair, Eliel Saarinen Design 1929, Solid Birch, Horsehair-Fabric Upholstery

Unavailable

H 37.41 in W 16.93 in D 18.9 in

Side Chair, Eliel Saarinen Design 1929, Solid Birch, Horsehair-Fabric Upholstery

By Eliel Saarinen

Located in Vehmersalmi, Finland, FI

The fabric was designed by Eliel Saarinen and is manufactured by John Boyd ltd, UK. The chair is handmade and numbered. There are 6 chairs available.

Category

1920s Finnish Art Deco Antique Handmade Chairs

Materials

Birch

Rare Pair of Old Hickory Lounge Chairs

Unavailable

Sold

Sold

H 41 in W 20.25 in D 21.25 in

c.1860 Handmade English Beaded Slipper Chair w/ Rosewood Frame

Located in Highwood, IL

From our store owner's private collection-- Exquisite handmade antique English, Renaissance Revival lady's slipper chair with incredible hand beadwork and a gorgeous rosewood frame.

c.1880 Folk Art Triangular Chair

Sold

H 33.5 in W 21.5 in D 17 in

c.1880 Folk Art Triangular Chair

Located in Highwood, IL

Antique handmade folk art chair with turned supports and triangular seat carved with fleur-de-lys and geometric decoration.

Rocking Chair in Bentwood Willow, Swedish, 1900-1920

Sold

H 40.56 in W 21.66 in D 50.01 in

Rocking Chair in Bentwood Willow, Swedish, 1900-1920

Located in London, GB

Scandinavian early 20th century handmade rocking chair constructed in bentwood willow.

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Antique Handmade Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

$1,600 / set

$2,810Sale Price|20% Off

H 34.26 in W 25.79 in D 22.45 in

Antique Turner's Chair, English, Oak, Old Saxon, Elbow Seat, Victorian, C.1900

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique turner’s chair. An English, oak Old Saxon elbow seat, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. A fascinating example in the John Starkey Warwick style, of...

Category

Early 20th Century British Victorian Antique Handmade Chairs

Materials

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Jacquard

$3,650 / item

H 24 in W 18.75 in D 13.5 in

Rosemont Nightstand by West Haddon Hall

Located in Los Angeles, CA

American White Oak pedestal nightstand or end table with a single drawer and integrated carved wood pull. Our timeless design is shown in Honeyed Oak. Our collection pays homage to...

Category

2010s North American Antique Handmade Chairs

Materials

Oak

Collectible Modern Fabric Sculptural Table Lamp by Mirei Monticelli, Aphrodite

$2,160 / item

$1,894

H 21.66 in W 17.72 in D 22.84 in

Mario Bellini Area Curvea Table Lamp for Artemide, Italy, 1970s

By Mario Bellini, Artemide

Located in amstelveen, NL

The Area Curvea table lamp, designed by Mario Bellini for Artemide in the 1970s, is a sculptural icon of Italian design. Its softly draped resin shade and curved metal arm create a ...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Handmade Chairs

Materials

Metal

Hans J. Wegner Styled Sculptural Valet Dressing Chair by Armcrest

$925

$1,275 / item

H 28.5 in W 20 in D 17 in

Superb Midcentury Hans Wegner FH4103 Chairs ( Up To Six Available)

By Hans J. Wegner, Fritz Hansen

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

For your consideration are these beautiful dining chairs designed by Hans Wegner. Having gorgeous original patina with splendid craftsmanship while utilizing a space saving design. U...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Antique Handmade Chairs

Materials

Oak, Teak

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Antique Handmade Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of antique handmade chairs for sale on 1stDibs. The range of distinct antique handmade chairs — often made from wood, oak and iron — can elevate any home. Antique handmade chairs have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Antique handmade chairs bearing Arts and Crafts or Folk Art hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. There have been many well-made antique handmade chairs over the years, but those made by Michael Thonet and Thonet are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are Antique Handmade Chairs?

Prices for antique handmade chairs start at $475 and top out at $9,400 with the average selling for $1,384.

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.

Questions About Antique Handmade Chairs

What is an antique Bergère chair?
2 Answers
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
An antique Bergère chair is a Victorian-era French armchair, often with upholstered armrests and a removable seat cushion. The curved back of this chair would be crafted with wicker. Shop a collection of Bergère chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Bergere chairs are a type of upholstered French armchair that have an enclosed design. They’re designed for lounging comfortably and usually feature deep, wide seats. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique Bergere chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
How can you tell if a dining chair is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024
To tell if a dining chair is antique, first look for markings that can help you identify the maker. You will normally find these under the seat. By using information published on trusted online resources, you can research the markings to learn who made the chair and when the maker was active. Any dining chair made 100 years ago or earlier is an antique. Another way to identify antique chairs is to examine their details closely. Most antique dining chairs are handmade, so you can expect to see subtle tool markings and slight irregularities. A lack of these characteristics may indicate that a dining chair is machine-made and less likely to be an antique. For assistance with dating your dining chairs, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique dining chairs.
How do I find out what my antique chair is worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
To find out what your antique chair is worth, you can conduct research using trusted online resources. Specifically, study the sales history for pieces similar to yours in terms of maker, age, style and type. Because the condition of your chair will also impact its value, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer inspect and evaluate your piece. Find a collection of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
How can you tell how old an antique chair is?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
To tell how old an antique chair is, you have a few options. One is to conduct research on your own using trusted online resources and print references from your local library. If your chair has a maker's mark, learning more about the company, artisan or workshop that produced it can be a good starting point. Dating unmarked chairs can be more difficult because certain styles remained in production for long periods. In this case, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate your chair for you. Shop a wide range of antique chairs on 1stDibs.
How do you tell if your rocking chair is an antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
To tell if your rocking chair is an antique, search the back, rockers and the underside of the seat for a label, stamp or other marking. If you locate one, conduct online research using trusted resources to learn about the maker. By finding out when the manufacturer produced chairs similar to yours, you may be able to determine if your chair is at least 100 years old, making it an antique. If you cannot find a maker's mark, consider contacting a certified appraiser or antique dealer and asking them to date your piece for you. Explore a range of antique rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
How much is an antique barber chair worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Depending on the quality, age, and model, Koken vintage barber chairs can sell for $500 to $6000. Older chairs will often have a higher value.
How much is my antique high chair worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
There is no universal guideline for determining the value of antique high chairs. Typically, high chairs can cost anywhere between $50 and $500. The price of a high chair is determined by the condition of the chair, its construction, whether or not all parts are intact and its desirability.
What did antique carver chairs originally look like?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 21, 2020
The design has changed over the years, but most antique carver chairs were made of wood. Antique carver chairs were wide chairs made in 17th century New England — with backs that featured several supporting spindles — although there were no spindles between the armrests and the seat. Antique carver chairs were typically topped with decorative ornaments.

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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.