$1,689Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Elbow Chair, English, Beech, Smoker's Bow, Captain Seat, Victorian, 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique elbow chair. An English, beech and fruitwood smoker's bow or captain's chair, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880.
Beech
$1,229Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Bow Chair, Smokers Captains English Victorian Elm Windsor, circa 1870
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique, bow-back chair, sometimes referred to as a 'Smoker's' or 'Captain's' chair.
Elm
Child's Captain's Chair, Beech and Elm, Country Style, Antique, 1900
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Childs chair, in the style of a Captain’s chair This is a very unusual child’s chair, the chair has a rounded spindle back with which curves around to form the arms in the style o...
Beech
19th Century English Victorian Swivel Captains Desk Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome 19th century English Victorian period captains chair or smokers' bow chair crafted from mahogany.
Plastic, Mahogany
19th Century Victorian English Bow-Back Captain's Chair
Located in London, GB
A handsome example of a Victorian bow-back armchair - often referred to as a ‘Captain’s’ or ‘Smoker’s’ chair.
Elm, Oak
$1,139Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Armchair, English, Victorian, Elm Bow Back, Smokers Captains Chair
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique armchair, an English, Victorian, elm, bow-back 'smokers', or 'captains', chair dating to circa 1900.
Beech, Elm
Gorgeous Patina Edwardian Solid Elm Bow Back Smokers Captains Chair
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Gorgeous Elm Smokers Captains Armchair. This Edwardian solid elm bow back smokers captain's chair is truly stunning, with a gorgeous pati...
Elm
Antique Country House Captain's Chair, English, Smoker's Bow, Edwardian, C.1906
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique country house captain's chair. An English, beech and elm smoker's bow or elbow seat, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1906.
Beech, Elm
Pair of Antique Country House Captain's Chairs, English, Smoker's Bow, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique country house captain's chairs. An English, beech and elm smoker's bow or elbow seat, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Beech, Elm
$1,309Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Smoker’s Bow Chair, English Ash, Captain’s Elbow Seat, Victorian Revival
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a fine vintage smoker’s bow chair. An English, ash captain's elbow seat, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980.
Ash
$1,585Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Smoker's Bow, English, Ash, Elm, Elbow, Captain's Chair, Victorian, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique smoker's bow. An English, ash and elm elbow or captain's chair, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1900.
Ash, Elm
Victorian Tavern Chair, Ash and Elm, Mid-19th Century, Unique Design
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
This chair is exactly that. The overall design is typical of a mid-19th century smokers bow, or captains, chair but of course it stands on much taller than normal legs.
Ash, Elm
$1,995 / set
Set of 2 Pizzetti Roma bar stools, made of wood, produced in Italy in 1970, Mid-Century Modern
By Mobili Pizzetti
Located in Palermo, IT
Schienale modello a pozzetto stile "Captain's Chair" o "Smoker's Bow". La seduta è imbottita in ecopelle o vinile color cuoio/marrone, rifinita sul retro e sui lati con borchie metal...
Metal
Victorian Bow-Back Elbow Captain's Chair, Late 1800
Located in Notting Hill, GB
Late 1800, Victorian bow-back elbow Captain's chair made with turned spindles and a beautiful scrolled arm rest.
Elm
Victorian Captains Chair Smoker Bow
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
K0240 Late Victorian ash and elm smokers bow armchair with shaped top rail supported on turned uprights and generous seat, all standing on substantial turned legs united by double st...
Ash
Unavailable
H 31.102 in W 26.772 in D 21.654 in
Victorian Ash and Elm Smokers Bow Chair Captains Chair
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
0239 Late Victorian ash and elm smokers bow armchair with shaped top rail supported on turned uprights and generous seat, all standing on substantial turned legs united by double str...
Ash
Unavailable
H 30.71 in W 14.97 in D 16.93 in
Antique Elm Smokers Bow Captains Chair With Oversized Arm
Located in Accrington, GB
A rare chair dating to the early part of the 20th century. We think the chair was a teachers chair with the oversized arm acting as a bookrest. Made from a rich cut of elm the chair ...
Elm
Sold
H 30.71 in W 25.2 in D 21.26 in
Antique Captain’s Bow Chair, English, Beech, Elm, Home Office, Seat, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique captain’s bow chair. An English, beech and elm home office or drawing room seat, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Beech, Elm
Sold
H 29.53 in W 23.82 in D 20.48 in
Antique Captain's Desk Chair, English, Elm, Smoker's Bow, Elbow Seat, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique captain's desk chair. An English, elm and beech smoker's bow or elbow seat, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880.
Beech, Elm
Sold
H 32.09 in W 24.61 in D 22.84 in
Antique Captain's Chair, English Elm, Beech, Smoker's Bow, Elbow Seat, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique captain's chair. An English, elm and beech smoker's bow or elbow seat, dating to the mid Victorian period, circa 1860.
Beech, Elm
Sold
H 31.11 in W 25.99 in D 21.66 in
Antique Bow-Back Elbow Chair, English, Victorian, Smokers, Captains, circa 1890
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique bow-back elbow chair. An English, Victorian, elm, 'smokers', or 'captains', chair dating to circa 1890.
Elm
Antique Captains or Smokers Bow back armchair
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Antique Captains or Smokers Bow back armchair. Made from Beech and Elm this wonderful chair has all original legs and turned spindals with bow back rail.
Beech, Elm
Sold
H 30.91 in W 27.96 in D 20.87 in
Pair Of Antique Smoker's Bow Chairs, English Beech Captain's Armchair, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique smoker's bow chairs. An English, beech and elm captain's armchair, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1890.
Beech
Sold
H 31.89 in W 25.99 in D 22.05 in
Antique Elbow Chair, Victorian, Elm, Bow-Back, Smokers, Captains Desk circa 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique elbow chair, an English, Victorian, elm, bow-back 'smokers', or 'captains' armchair dating to circa 1880.
Elm
Sold
H 35.5 in W 22.75 in D 22 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Bow Tie Armchairs or Dining Captain Chairs, Pair
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern bow tie armchairs or dining captain chairs By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture USA, 1950s Elegant sculpted bl...
Upholstery, Walnut, Lacquer
Sold
H 31.5 in W 23.23 in D 20.08 in
Bow-Back Armchair, English, High Wycombe, Elm, Smokers, Captains, circa 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique bow-back armchair, an English, High Wycombe, Victorian, elm and beech, 'smokers', or 'captains', chair dating to circa 1900.
Beech, Elm
Sold
H 34.26 in W 24.02 in D 24.02 in
Antique Bow Back Armchair, High Wycombe, Smokers, Captains, R. Tyzack, George V
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique bow-back armchair, an English, High Wycombe, mahogany, 'smokers', or 'captains', chair by R.
Mahogany
English Smoker's Bow Chairs, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of English figured yew wood Captain / Smoker Bow chairs, late 19th century, throughout with turned spindle elements, the horseshoe shaped back and arm rests above the conforming...
Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 25.2 in D 18.51 in
Antique Country House Smoker's Bow, English, Captain's Chair, Seat, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique country house smoker's bow. An English, elm captain's chair or elbow seat, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1870.
Elm
Sold
H 30.52 in W 25.6 in D 21.07 in
Antique Country House Captain's Chair, English Elm, Smoker's Bow Seat, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique country house captain's chair. An English, elm smoker's bow or elbow seat, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Elm
Sold
H 29.93 in W 24.41 in D 22.84 in
Antique Captain's Chair, English, Oak, Bow-Back, Leather, Smokers circa 1910
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Captain's chair, an English, oak bow-back with leather seat dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910.
Leather, Oak
Pair of Early 20th Century Spindle Back Chairs in Bouclé
Located in Aartselaar, BE
A pair of early 20th-century chairs with rounded spindle back and legs. The design was inspired by 19th-century smokers bow or captains chairs.
Bouclé, Wood, Oak, Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 22 in D 24 in
19th Century, Elm and Ash Smokers Bow, Captains Chair, Office or Desk Chair
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
This solid chair has an attractive thick saddle shaped seat in Elm, it has a very wide curved top rail in Ash and chunky turned spindles beneath The chair stands on very attracti...
Ash, Elm
Set of Eight English Bow Armchairs
Located in Austin, TX
A fine set of eight large English bow armchairs (also known as captain's chairs or smoker's bow arm chairs) of elm, ash and oak, each chair featuring a bowed top rail with continuous...
Ash, Elm, Oak, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 26.38 in D 22.25 in
Antique Elbow Chair, English, Beech, Elm, Smoker's Bow, Captain, Victorian, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique elbow chair. An English, beech and elm smoker's bow or captain's chair, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1900.
Elm
Pair of English Mahogany Captains Smokers Bow Armchairs
Located in Faversham, GB
A commanding pair of mahogany Captains chairs or smokers bow armchairs with wide open arms.
Mahogany
Sold
H 31.75 in W 28 in D 25 in
Set of Four Mid-19th Century Beech & Elm Smokers Bow Windsor or Captains Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
A set of four mid-19th century beech and elm smokers bow Windsor or Captains chairs of good color and of large proportion, with makers stamp ‘GJH’.
Beech, Elm
Victorian Elm and Fruitwood Club Chair
Located in Manchester, GB
Called different things in different parts of the country from captains chairs to smokers bows and many more.
Elm, Fruitwood
19th Century Handcrafted English Oak Windsor Armchair
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Handcrafted English Oak Windsor Armchair with great patina. Measures 23.5" in width, 23" in depth and 36.5" in height. Seat height is 18" and arm height is 27". Seat int...
Oak
Antique Victorian Bentwood and Leather Swivel Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
A smart and very well made antique Victorian bentwood and leather swivel desk chair. This was made in England in the Arts and Crafts fashion, it dates from around 1890-1900. The qua...
Leather, Bentwood
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.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
Andrianna Shamaris has filled her epic new home with pieces of her own design.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
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.