19th Century Camelback Sofa
Antique 19th Century French Jacobean Sofas
Steel
Antique 19th Century French Jacobean Sofas
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century Georgian Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
Antique Early 19th Century Irish George III Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
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Upholstery, Down, Wood
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Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Mohair, Silk, Giltwood, Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Armchairs
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1960s French French Provincial Sofas
Upholstery, Cane, Hardwood
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Foam, Mahogany, Fabric
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Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
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Linen
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Wood
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Leather
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
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Upholstery, Wood, Cherry
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Leather
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Wood
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Wood, Upholstery
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Mahogany
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Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English Chippendale Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 1820s English Chippendale Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Sofas
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Antique Late 19th Century English Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany, Down
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet
Antique 19th Century Italian Sofas
Cotton, Linen
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Wood
Antique 19th Century Regency Sofas
Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century French Régence Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
Antique Early 1800s Northern Irish Georgian Settees
Fabric, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century American Chippendale Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Chippendale Sofas
Antique Early 19th Century English Chippendale Sofas
Linen, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Irish Country Settees
Upholstery, Pine
Antique 19th Century French Régence Canapes
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Canapes
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English Sofas
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Mahogany, Down, Linen
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Hepplewhite Settees
Mahogany, Satinwood
Finding the Right sofas for You
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.
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