American Empire Couch
Antique 1820s American American Classical Sofas
Mohair, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century British American Empire Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany, Hardwood
Antique 19th Century Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 1830s American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1830s American American Empire Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 1820s American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1820s American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
Antique 1830s American American Classical Sofas
Brass, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century American American Empire Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1970s Post-Modern Sofas
Cotton
Vintage 1970s American Modern Sofas
Fabric, Plastic, Foam
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Loveseats
Mahogany
Antique 1850s American Empire Revival Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 1830s American American Empire Game Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Empire Side Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood, Paint
Antique 1870s French Empire Table Lamps
Granite, Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Brass, Gold Leaf
Antique 1870s North American Empire Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Screens and Room Dividers
Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Maple
Vintage 1970s Post-Modern Armchairs
Cotton
Mid-20th Century French Hollywood Regency Side Tables
Metal, Bronze, Steel, Iron
Late 20th Century American Expressionist Decorative Art
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Charles II Settees
Tapestry, Velvet
People Also Browsed
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Desks
Mahogany
Antique 1890s Danish Biedermeier Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique 1810s Dutch Empire Sofas
Satinwood, Upholstery, Mahogany, Tulipwood
Antique 1770s American Federal Sideboards
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century American Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood
21st Century and Contemporary French Louis Philippe Wardrobes and Armoires
Metal, Brass
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Chaise Longues
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Rustic Industrial and Work Tables
Pine, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century English William and Mary Settees
Upholstery, Oak
20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Chairs
Porcelain, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Beds and Bed Frames
Gold Leaf, Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables
Wood
Recent Sales
2010s Unknown Baroque Revival Quilts and Blankets
Polyester
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Sofas
Late 20th Century American Empire Loveseats
Palmwood
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 Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Metal, Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Wood, Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique Mid-19th Century Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1840s American American Empire Sofas
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century North American Victorian Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Empire Sofas
Mohair, Mahogany
Antique 1820s American Empire Sofas
Mahogany, Silk
Antique Early 19th Century American Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American Neoclassical Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Antique 1840s American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1880s French Empire Revival Sofas
Ormolu
Antique Early 1900s French Empire Sofas
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Wood, Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century Empire Revival Sofas
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Down
Antique 1880s French Empire Sofas
Ormolu
Antique 1880s French Empire Sofas
Ormolu
Antique 1880s French Empire Revival Sofas
Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Settees
Velvet, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Empire Loveseats
Silk, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Daybeds
Textile, Mahogany
20th Century American American Classical Dining Room Tables
Hardwood
Antique 19th Century American Settees
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American Neoclassical Armchairs
Mahogany, Upholstery
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Upholstery
Vintage 1940s American American Empire End Tables
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Leather
Antique 19th Century American Empire Sofas
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American Rococo Sofas
Tapestry
American Empire Couch For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an American Empire Couch?
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.
Read More
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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.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
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.