Green Velvet Chesterfield
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Chesterfield Canapes
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Modern Sofas
Chrome
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Gold Plate
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Steel, Brass, Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Vases
Gold Leaf, Brass
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Chrome
20th Century English Country Sofas
Upholstery, Beech, Oak
Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Dry Bars
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Aluminum, Iron
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Plastic
Vintage 1910s American Art Nouveau Table Lamps
Bronze
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Chrome
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Plastic, Fiberglass
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century British Settees
Leather
2010s American Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Antique 1880s American Victorian Sofas
Oak, Upholstery, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary European Chesterfield Canapes
Wood, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary European Chesterfield Canapes
Velvet, Wood
Antique 1890s English Late Victorian Settees
Brass
Vintage 1920s French French Provincial Sofas
Velvet, Hardwood
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
Wood, Fabric
Antique 1870s Sofas
Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Sofas
Velvet, Mohair
Antique Late 19th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1940s American Victorian Sofas
Velvet, Hardwood
Antique 1890s English Chesterfield Sofas
Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Sofas
Velvet, Oak
Antique Early 1900s English Late Victorian Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Early 20th Century American Sofas
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century Loveseats
20th Century Central American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023A variety of colors can go with green velvet. Neutral hues like brown, cream, black and white often coordinate well with the material. You can also complement it with jewel tones like magenta and royal purple and warm metallics like copper and gold. On 1stDibs, find a variety of velvet pieces from some of the world's top sellers.
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