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American Antique Chairs

Early antique chairs made in America adopted the styles of their European brethren. Chairs in the American colonies featured turned arms and legs and spindle backs. English-inspired wainscot chairs were also present, one of which has been handed down as the chair of school presidents at Yale University.

Antique American chairs eventually took on their own idiosyncrasies, resulting in the Federal style resurrected by the New York leader of the furniture trade Duncan Pfyfe. Hitchcock chairs with rush or cane seats came out of Connecticut. These chairs are often painted black or dark green and embellished with painted leaves, flowers, and fruit. Designs native to the colonies include the ladder-back chairs of the Appalachians and the Shakers’ ladder-back, cane-seat rocking chairs. Antique rocking chairs are also a testament to early American history. The idea may have found form in English chairs, but their popularity swelled in America.

The Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century took American tastes away from mass production and refocused them on traditional craftsmanship. Mission chairs and rocking chairs by Gustav Stickley are the American interpretation of the movement, featuring clean lines, leather seats, and unpainted wood. Mid-century modern style followed. Some of the most famous chairs of this era were produced by Charles and Ray Eames for the Henry Miller Furniture Company. These chairs were simple molded plywood and fiberglass mounted on static metal legs or wooden rockers.


Quick Facts

  • In 2015, federal agents recovered President Theodore Roosevelt’s rocking chair from an auction in Atlanta. The piece had been missing from the White House since the 18th century when an employee was told he could take the chair home. The chair remained in the employee’s family until put up for auction
  • A pair of 670 lounge chairs and a 671 ottoman designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1957 realized a price of $16,639 at an auction by Christie’s in 2011
  • A Mathew Brady Studio carved-oak armchair circa 1857 by Bembe and Kimbel New York sold for $449,000 in a Bonhams auction in 2015

Recommended Items at Auction

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Pair of Federal Mahogany Side Chairs, c. 1800
Feb 25, 10:00 AM EST
Pair of Federal Mahogany Side Chairs, c. 1800
by Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Est: $300- $500
$1751 Bid
Chippendale Wing Chair
Feb 13, 10:00 AM EST
Chippendale Wing Chair
by New England Auctions
Est: $250- $500
$501 Bid
American Hitchcock Side Chairs, 6
Feb 27, 11:00 AM EST
American Hitchcock Side Chairs, 6
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $200- $400
$500 Bids
Americana - 18th century wooden chair
Feb 15, 10:00 AM CET
Americana - 18th century wooden chair
by Hessink's
Est: €0- €0
€400 Bids
American Hepplewhite Carved Mahogany Armchairs, Needlepoint Upholstered Seats, 19th C.
Feb 13, 11:00 AM EST
American Hepplewhite Carved Mahogany Armchairs, Needlepoint Upholstered Seats, 19th C.
by DuMouchelles
Est: $250- $350
$1250 Bids
Two Similar Early American Slat Back Side Chairs, 18th C
Feb 25, 10:00 AM EST
Two Similar Early American Slat Back Side Chairs, 18th C
by Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Est: $700- $1,000
$4000 Bids
American Pine Highchair in Black Paint, Dated 1856
Feb 28, 10:00 AM EST
American Pine Highchair in Black Paint, Dated 1856
by Devin Moisan Auctioneers, Inc.
Est: $150- $250
$700 Bids
American Pine Child's Rocking Chair in Brown Wash
Mar 02, 10:00 AM EST
American Pine Child's Rocking Chair in Brown Wash
by Devin Moisan Auctioneers, Inc.
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids
Thomas Day Milton N.C. School Furniture Pair Chairs
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
Thomas Day Milton N.C. School Furniture Pair Chairs
by Mebane Antique Auction
Est: $100- $10,000
$500 Bids
American Federal Style Stencil Painted Armchair
Feb 13, 11:00 AM EST
American Federal Style Stencil Painted Armchair
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $300- $500
$1000 Bids
American Renaissance Revival Side Chair, ca. 1870
Mar 06, 11:00 AM EST
American Renaissance Revival Side Chair, ca. 1870
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $400- $600
$1000 Bids
HAYWOOD WAKEFIELD WICKER CHAIR C 1880.
Feb 27, 11:00 AM EST
HAYWOOD WAKEFIELD WICKER CHAIR C 1880.
by Kamelot Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$1500 Bids
Set of Ten Hitchcock Dining Chairs
Feb 28, 10:00 AM EST
Set of Ten Hitchcock Dining Chairs
by Devin Moisan Auctioneers, Inc.
Est: $300- $500
$1500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell American Antique Chairs


Potomack Company

Potomack Company

Auctions at Showplace

Auctions at Showplace

Devin Moisan Auctioneers, Inc.

Devin Moisan Auctioneers, Inc.

Everard Auctions and Appraisals

Everard Auctions and Appraisals