Typical Western wooden chairThis unusual rocking chair is made of rough wood to give it an old-fashioned look.Traditional Japanese chair with zabuton and separate armrestBus shelter with seats with arm rests in betweenA bench is long enough for several people to sit on
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Benches, Stools

A chair is a piece of furniture for sitting, consisting of a seat, a back, and sometimes arm rests, commonly for use by one person. Chairs also often have legs to support the seat raised above the floor. Without back and arm rests it is called a stool. more...

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A chair for more than one person is a couch, sofa, settee, loveseat (two-seater without arm rest in between) or bench. A separate footrest for a chair is known as an ottoman, hassock or poof. A chair mounted in a vehicle or in a theatre is simply called a seat. Chairs as furniture are typically not attached to the floor and so can be moved.

The back often does not extend all the way to the seat to allow for ventilation. Likewise, the back and sometimes the seat are made of porous materials or have holes drilled in them for decoration and ventilation.

The back may extend above the height of the head. There may be separate headrests. Headrests for seats in vehicles are important for preventing whiplash injuries to the neck when the vehicle is involved in a rear-end collision.

History of the Chair

The chair is of extreme antiquity, although for many centuries and indeed for thousands of years it was an article of state and dignity rather than an article of ordinary use. “The chair” is still extensively used as the emblem of authority in the House of Commons and in public meetings. It was not, in fact, until the 16th century that it became common anywhere. The chest, the bench and the stool were until then the ordinary seats of everyday life, and the number of chairs which have survived from an earlier date is exceedingly limited; most of such examples are of ecclesiastical or seigneurial origin. Our knowledge of the chairs of remote antiquity is derived almost entirely from monuments, sculpture and paintings. A few actual examples exist in the British Museum, in the Egyptian museum at Cairo, and elsewhere.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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Antique Elk'S Lodge 9' Cherry BenchAntique Elk'S Lodge 9' Cherry Bench $299.00 Italian long bench, circa 1940s'Italian long bench, circa 1940s' $2,650.00
Queen Anne Oak End of Bed Bench/Entry BenchQueen Anne Oak End of Bed Bench/Entry Bench $299.00 Diner Stool 18 Inches High Swivel New Chrome Tourquise Diner Stool 18 Inches High Swivel New Chrome Tourquise $225.00
55315 : Antique French Gothic Hall Bench - High Back55315 : Antique French Gothic Hall Bench - High Back $3,280.00 Antique Made in Italy Straw Bench ChaiseAntique Made in Italy Straw Bench Chaise $4,150.99
French Breton Bench 19th CenturyFrench Breton Bench 19th Century $2,100.00 Pair Jansen Faux Bamboo Black Lacquer Stools OttomansPair Jansen Faux Bamboo Black Lacquer Stools Ottomans $3,850.00
Vintage Style Lovely Bench With Gold Leaf,So Pretty!Vintage Style Lovely Bench With Gold Leaf,So Pretty! Vintage Shaker Style Wooden Stool with Woven Seat Cool!Vintage Shaker Style Wooden Stool with Woven Seat Cool! $125.00
Antique Claw Foot Glass Ball Piano Swivel StoolAntique Claw Foot Glass Ball Piano Swivel Stool $9.99 Primitive Wooden Stool Featured Item, Antique Dutch Primitive Wooden Stool Featured Item, Antique Dutch $79.50
Antique Bamboo Step Stool Vintage Primitive FurnitureAntique Bamboo Step Stool Vintage Primitive Furniture $59.50 Antique Victorian Piano/Organ Stool Bench Archer - NyAntique Victorian Piano/Organ Stool Bench Archer - Ny $69.99
Best Antique Iron Foot Stool Footstool Woven Wool TopBest Antique Iron Foot Stool Footstool Woven Wool Top $18.99 Industrial Age Angle Steel Drafting Stool Oak Seat Industrial Age Angle Steel Drafting Stool Oak Seat $79.99
Vintage Industrial Machine Age Adjustable Metal Stool Vintage Industrial Machine Age Adjustable Metal Stool $24.99 Antique Victorian Tapestry Needlepoint Ottoman StoolAntique Victorian Tapestry Needlepoint Ottoman Stool $99.95
Carved Mahogany French Footstool / OttomanCarved Mahogany French Footstool / Ottoman $249.00 Old Industrial Machine Age Shop Home Decor Stool Old Industrial Machine Age Shop Home Decor Stool $20.00
Regency Mahogany Bench, Circa 1920s'.Regency Mahogany Bench, Circa 1920s'. $1,250.00 Antique Gold Carved Unique Bench SetteeAntique Gold Carved Unique Bench Settee $599.00
Garden Cherry Wood Slab Bench Nakashima Style 77"BeautyGarden Cherry Wood Slab Bench Nakashima Style 77"Beauty $1,200.00 English-Hepplew​hit e bensh with caned back,turn of Cent.English-Hepplew​hit e bensh with caned back,turn of Cent. $2,200.00
Hollywood Regency Brown Velvet Ottoman/StoolHollywood Regency Brown Velvet Ottoman/Stool $295.00 Small Vintage Wooden Pokerwork / Poker Work Stool 7 1/2Small Vintage Wooden Pokerwork / Poker Work Stool 7 1/2
Tall & Long Antique English Carved Dark Oak BenchTall & Long Antique English Carved Dark Oak Bench $549.00 Pa. Antique Railroad BenchPa. Antique Railroad Bench $1,350.00
Vintage Classic Pearl-Wick Hassock, Foot Stool, OttomanVintage Classic Pearl-Wick Hassock, Foot Stool, Ottoman Old Adjustable Miniature Wooden Piano Organ Stool BenchOld Adjustable Miniature Wooden Piano Organ Stool Bench $195.00
Pine Footstool/StoolPine Footstool/Stool $99.00 Oak Vanity Bench/Entry BenchOak Vanity Bench/Entry Bench $199.00
Pair of Country French Leather BenchesPair of Country French Leather Benches $1,375.00 Rare Slotted Weaved Wood Caned Victorian 1900 Stool,OldRare Slotted Weaved Wood Caned Victorian 1900 Stool,Old
Antique/Primiti​ve/ Vintage Step StoolAntique/Primiti​ve/ Vintage Step Stool $14.99 Walnut Bench/Vanity Bench-red print damaskWalnut Bench/Vanity Bench-red print damask $149.00
Rustic Bench Chair Stool Hand Made Antique replicaRustic Bench Chair Stool Hand Made Antique replica $35.00 Mid Century X Base Ottoman FootstoolMid Century X Base Ottoman Footstool $189.00
560056-1 : Antique Italian Renaissance Hall Bench560056-1 : Antique Italian Renaissance Hall Bench $1,750.00 Vintage Western Electric Industrial Office Stool ChairVintage Western Electric Industrial Office Stool Chair $85.00
Nice Needlepoint FootstoolNice Needlepoint Footstool $49.99 Pair Eames Era Lucite & Red Patent Leather Bar StoolsPair Eames Era Lucite & Red Patent Leather Bar Stools
Fabulous Regency 3 Seater Mahogany Rush Bench,Nice!Fabulous Regency 3 Seater Mahogany Rush Bench,Nice! Pretty Shabby Vanity Stool/BenchPretty Shabby Vanity Stool/Bench $195.00
Victorian Organ Stool, Burgundy Cushioned Seat SwivelsVictorian Organ Stool, Burgundy Cushioned Seat Swivels $240.00 Small Mid-Century Modern Swivel Stool On Casters(0917)JSmall Mid-Century Modern Swivel Stool On Casters(0917)J $249.00
Vintage Maple Colonial Paint Decorated BenchVintage Maple Colonial Paint Decorated Bench $389.00 Decorator Queen Ann Shell Carved Foot Stool OttomanDecorator Queen Ann Shell Carved Foot Stool Ottoman $169.00
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Prices current as of last update, 09/02/10 10:59pm.

See also...
1800-1900, Benches, Stools, Furniture
Post-1900, Benches, Stools, Furniture
Pre-1800, Benches, Stools, Furniture

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