Classical Empire Sofa
Antique Mid-19th Century British American Empire Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany, Hardwood
Antique 1820s American American Classical Sofas
Mohair, Wood
Antique 1830s American American Classical Sofas
Brass, Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Empire Sofas
Cotton, Mahogany
Vintage 1930s Italian Baroque Revival Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Antique 18th Century French Directoire Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Canapes
Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century Cuban Regency Settees
Cane, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Night Stands
Marble, Brass
Antique 1820s Regency Chaise Longues
Upholstery, Satinwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Silk, Wood, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Screens and Room Dividers
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Night Stands
Siena Marble
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Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Musical Instruments
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Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
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Antique 19th Century English Gothic Revival Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Bookcases
Spruce
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Antique 19th Century American Beds and Bed Frames
Silk, Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Benches
Walnut
Antique 1880s Swedish Sofas
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bookcases
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Sofas
Nutwood, Fabric, Birch, Burl
Vintage 1950s English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Federal Game Tables
Brass, Ormolu
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Sofas
Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Antique 19th Century American American Classical Industrial and Work Tables
Mahogany
Antique 1820s American American Classical Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American Neoclassical Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century British Empire Sofas
Mahogany, Mohair
Antique 1870s Swedish Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 1880s French Empire Revival Sofas
Ormolu
Antique Early 1900s French Empire Sofas
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique Early 19th Century American Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1870s French Sofas
Ormolu
Antique 1840s American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Maple
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1880s French Empire Sofas
Ormolu
Antique 1880s French Empire Sofas
Ormolu
Antique 1880s French Empire Revival Sofas
Ormolu
American Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Daybeds
Textile, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century European Empire Daybeds
Fruitwood, Muslin
Antique Mid-19th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Chaise Longues
Bronze
20th Century American American Classical Dining Room Tables
Hardwood
Antique 19th Century Unknown Regency Chaise Longues
Antique 1820s Regency Settees
Rosewood
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Egyptian Revival Settees
Fruitwood, Paint, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Walnut
Antique 1820s English Regency Dining Room Sets
Damask, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Giltwood, Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1870s Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Regency Sofas
Upholstery, Paint, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Canapes
Wood, Velvet
Early 20th Century American Empire Chaise Longues
Leather, Oak
20th Century French Empire Side Tables
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century French Directoire Benches
Silk, Wood
Antique Early 1900s French Napoleon III Paintings
Porcelain, Wood
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Sofas
Upholstery, Linen
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Brazilian Sofas
Rosewood
Vintage 1930s Swedish Sofas
Mohair, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Settees
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Loveseats
Walnut
20th Century French Sideboards
Bronze
Antique Late 18th Century French Directoire Canapes
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Empire Figurative Sculptures
Carrara Marble
Vintage 1940s French Dining Room Sets
Wood
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Classical Empire Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Classical Empire Sofa?
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.
- What is an Empire sofa?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Empire movement in design started in the 19th century and is characterized by straight lines in rigid symmetrical compositions. Empire sofas, and furniture specifically, are part of the French neoclassical style. Shop a collection of Empire sofas from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022An Empire sofa is a type of sofa associated with the Empire style of art and architecture that came out of early 19th-century France. The designs of furniture in the Empire style were actually quite varied depending on the region which interpreted the design principles. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique Empire style sofas from some of the world’s top sellers.
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