Shell Back Couches
Vintage 1930s American Sectional Sofas
Rattan
2010s Italian Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Hardwood, Shell
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Early 20th Century Jamaican Sofas
Cane, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century Swedish Rococo Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Ash, Chestnut, Oak, Walnut
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Antique 1820s Spanish Spanish Colonial Sofas
Silk, Birch, Oak, Giltwood
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
2010s French Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Textile
2010s Italian Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Walnut
2010s Guatemalan Sofas
Fiberglass
Early 20th Century British Sofas
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Elm
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
2010s Italian Art Nouveau Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Aluminum
Antique 18th Century French Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Georgian Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Sofas
Textile
2010s Danish Sofas
Leather, Textile
2010s Italian Art Nouveau Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
Oak
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Danish Sofas
Textile
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Sofas
Brass
2010s Italian Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Early 2000s American Modern Sofas
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Sofas
Textile
- 1
Shell Back Couches For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Shell Back Couches?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A couch without a back is called by different names depending on the style. A recamier is a backless couch with a curved headrest and a low footrest. A divan is a low backless sofa with a thick tufted cushion and no arms. Shop a range of sofas and other seating on 1stDibs.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.
Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.