Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Mahogany Sofa Reupholstered in White Silk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Finely Carved Mahogany Parlor Sofa Reupholstered in Elegant White Patterned Silk Blend Upholstery This exquisite antique Duncan Phyfe style parlor sofa sh...
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
$1,122Sale Price|45% Off
19th Century Spanish Silk Sofa
Located in Faversham, GB
Each end of the scrolling arms is decorated with a gilded double volute form. The sofa is completed in silk and decorative trim. Spanish, circa 1820.
Silk, Birch, Oak, Giltwood
Antique Knole-Style Sofa, Hand-Carved Walnut, Silk Velvet, c. 1900 - 1920's
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a unique example of an antique, early 20th century Spanish or Renaissance Revival Knole Sofa.
Upholstery, Wood
COMFORTABLE PAIR OF HOWARD & SON'S STYLE SiLK BLEND FLORAL UPHOLSTEREED SOFAS
By Howard and Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of Floral Silk blend upholstered three seat Howard & Son's style sofas Please note the de...
Silk, Hardwood
$3,960Sale Price|20% Off
Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Rococo Gilt Sofa Loveseat
Located in New York, NY
Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Gilt Sofa Loveseat in excellent condition. There is custom protective plastic cover that can be snapped off the seat back, seat and hand...
Wool, Silk, Wood
ViNTAGE CHESTERFIELD TUFTED GREEN SILK & VELOUR UPHOLSTERED CONVERSATION COUCH
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite four person Victorian style Conversation sofa with Demask pattern upholstery, Ches...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$10,577 / item
Hand Tailored Fringes 2-Seat Sofa in Antique Pink Velvet
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
Fabric: Cotton velvet, ref. Antique pink Silk fringes: Antique pink Handmade in Europe.
Velvet, Wood, Silk, Trimming
$2,043Sale Price|20% Off
French antique Damask Canape-2 Seater Sofa-Settee-Louis XVI Style-1900s
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
Exquisite 19th-century French Sofa embodies the timeless elegance of Louis XVI-inspired Design – with perfectly balanced proportions and intricate carvings.
Cotton, Silk, Wood, Damask
$11,200Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century Dutch Rosewood and Fruitwood Marquetry Sofa
Located in CABA, AR
In the opulent realm of 18th-century Dutch furniture, the rosewood sofa with intricate marquetry in fruitwood stands as an epitome of elegance and craftsmanship. Crafted during the ...
Silk, Fruitwood, Rosewood
Pair of 19th C. Italian Gilt Wood and Paint Decorated Sofas with Scroll Arms
Located in Kent, CT
A magnificent pair of 19th Century Italian gilt shaped-frame wood benches with decorative paint, rose and gold silk. The frames are in excellent antique condition for their age; ther...
Silk, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Versace Silk Velvet Upholstered Giltwood Italian Sofa & Pair of Armchairs Suite
By Gianni Versace
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this extremely well made, vintage Versace Upholstered Italian with silk velvet, Giltwood framed sofa and pair of armchairs suite.
Upholstery, Giltwood
A Fine Antique Rare & Important Louis XVI Gilt Wood sofa, ca.1790
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular & highly important Antique French Louis XVI carved gilt wood sofa of exquisite craftsmanship embellished with carved gilt wood detail depicting wreaths further in sc...
Silk
Antique Pink Chinoiserie Silk Antique Carved Sofa Couch or Daybed
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
How we would style It: This antique sofa will be the focal point in any room.
Silk, Wood
Antique American Empire Mahogany Red Silk Sofa Bench New York 1820s
Located in West Hartford, CT
Antique 19th century empire sofa made of solid mahogany with scroll arms and carved lion paws with castors on front, upholstered in a red silk fabric.
Silk, Mahogany
Sold
H 28.35 in W 51.19 in D 29.93 in
Antique Asthetic Movement Two Seater Sofa in Damask Printed Silk
Located in London, GB
A pretty antique aesthetic movement two seater sofa recently upholstered in a gold Damask print silk fabric.
Wood
Antique 1840s, Swedish Biedermeier Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Important period Swedish Biedermeier "L" shaped sofa, large size, maple and walnut, with silk upholstery, very good condition. 101" x 91" from ends to inside curve, 41 H x 28 dee...
Silk, Maple, Walnut
19th Century Louis XV Style Sofa in Silk
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
The seat is nice and deep and comfortable. This 2 seater sofa is in good overall condition, the silk fabric is clean.
Silk, Beech
Antique French Louis XV Style Caned Settee Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Carved Wood, Original Wicker, New Silk Upholstery with Down Feather Style: French Louis XV
Silk, Wicker, Wood, Feathers
Sold
H 33.5 in W 83 in D 25 in
Antique Biedermeier Carved Flanking Gold Gilded Goose Scrolled Arm Parlor Sofa
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Biedermeier Carved Flanking Gold Gilded Goose Scrolled Arm Parlor Sofa This exquisite 19th century Austrian parlor sofa has beautiful gilt decorative elements and scrolling.
Silk, Wood
19th Century Louis XVI Style Ornate Giltwood Sofa
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite Louis XVI style giltwood sofa, or “canapé,” epitomizes the refinement and artistry of late 18th-century French decorative arts. The piece features a beautifully carved...
Tapestry, Giltwood, Wool, Silk
Transitisonal Painted Canape en Corbeille, c. 1760
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Louis XV period Canape en Corbeille in a painted Blue-gray & Green-gray finish, mounted atop seven cabriole legs and with wrap-around downswept arms. The Canape dating from the thi...
Silk
Sold
H 35.04 in W 84.26 in L 35.04 in
Superb Antique William IV Mahogany Sofa Settee Silk, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This superb William IV sofa is of fine quality and elegant form. It comprises of a mahogany frame and features a shaped and carved top rail, scrolled arms and fluted legs. The ...
Silk, Mahogany
Sold
H 36.5 in W 28 in D 80 in
Antique American Empire Federal Mahogany Scalamandre Parlor Settee Sofa Couch
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian parlor settee or sofa. Made of mahogany featuring rolled arms and blue silk scalamandre upholstery with insects and bolster pillows.
Silk, Mahogany
Directoire canapé sofa, 18th century, Tassinari & Chatel silk
By Georges Jacob, Tassinari
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Beautiful lacquered canapé, fine late 18th century Parisian production circa 1795 (Directoire period). Finely carved ribs and roses patterns, beautiful proportions. A high range prod...
Silk, Wood
Sold
H 14.97 in Dm 14.97 in
PAIR OF DECORATIVE FOLDED SILK ROUND CHESTERFIELD TUFTED SOFA ARMCHAIR CUSHIONs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of two sofa or armchair cushions in Green Silk which has been folded then sealed with one l...
Fabric
Sold
H 37 in W 89 in D 29.5 in
Antique Biedermeier Revival Sofa Upolstered in Jim Thompson Silk Velvet
Located in Atlanta, GA
This antique sofa or canape has been completely restored down to the springs and newly upholstered in a blue Jim Thompson silk velvet.
Custom Upholstered Sofa in Striped Silk Fabric by Scalamandre
By Henredon
Located in Pembroke, MA
Salon sofa by Scalamandre by Henredon, and custom upholstered by Scalamandre in silk Simbolo stripe fabric with contrasting cord and antique brass nailheads.
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Needlepoint and Petit Point Sofa Loveseat
Located in New York, NY
Antique 19th Century Needlepoint and Petit Point sofa.
Wool, Silk, Wood
Sold
H 47.75 in W 106 in D 34 in
Italian Venetian Carved Walnut Sofa, Correctly Restored c1700's Todd Hase Silk
Located in Highwood, IL
Antique original 106" 18th century northern Italian sofa.
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 87 in D 33.5 in
Antique French Louis XVI Walnut 3 Seat Silk Upholstered Settee Sofa Couch
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Louis XVI style three seat upholstered sofa or couch.
Silk, Walnut
French Louis XV Style Giltwood Antique Settee Sofa in Blue Silk
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A beautifully designed and executed settee in the Louis XV taste, it is a product of the first half of the 20th century with a finely carved surface throughout. The crest in particul...
Damask, Silk
Beautiful Antique Aubusson Sofa Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Very beautiful late 19th century Aubusson tapestry originally for back of the sofa, but can be use as a wall tapestry, entirely handwoven with wool and silk on cotton foundation. Ta...
Silk
19th Century Antique Italian Baroque Walnut Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Clearly illustrating the opulence of the Italian Baroque style, this grand antique Italian Baroque walnut sofa was sculpted with elegant lines from fine walnut then completed with se...
Silk, Walnut
Antique French Walnut Louis XVI Canape, Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French walnut Louis XVI canapé, sofa is part of an exquisite salon set which includes the pair of side chairs and pair of bergère (armchairs) you can view by clicking on the ...
Silk, Walnut
Sold
H 34 in W 29 in D 68 in
Antique Sheraton Revival Mahogany Parlor Settee Sofa Love Seat Bench Federal
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Sheraton style bow back parlor sofa or settee.
Silk, Mahogany
Antique French Painted Louis Xvi-style Grey Silk Velvet Sofa.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French painted Louis XVI-style grey silk velvet sofa.
Silk, Velvet
French Antique Style Louis XV Sofa Three Seater Settee Red Silk Stunning
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
A fabulous French three-seat gilded sofa, with flower head carved decoration, standing on five turned and fluted tapering legs, upholstered and button backed in red floral silk fabri...
Antique French Louis XVI Settee
Located in Corona Del Mar, CA
Antique French settee reupholstered in cream silk
Wood, Silk, Upholstery
Venetian walnut sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Venetian camel back and scrolled arm sofa with carved foliate designs, upholstered in antique silk brocade fabric.
Wood, Silk, Upholstery
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.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
Andrianna Shamaris has filled her epic new home with pieces of her own design.
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
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.