Carved Empire Sofa
Antique 19th Century American Empire Sofas
Fabric
Antique Early 1900s French Empire Sofas
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown American Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Empire Sofas
Mahogany
20th Century Empire Sofas
Wood, Beech
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Empire Revival Sofa Tables
Birch
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Empire Sofas
Fabric, Birch
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Empire Sofas
Fabric, Birch
Antique 1820s American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Empire Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 18th Century European Empire Sofas
Fabric, Wool, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Settees
Fabric, Mahogany
20th Century American Empire Benches
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1940s Italian Empire Canapes
Mahogany
Antique 1820s French Empire Living Room Sets
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Settees
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century Baltic Empire Benches
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1870s French Empire Canapes
Silk, Walnut, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Benches
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century French Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century British Empire Sofas
Velvet, Ebony
Antique 1890s French Empire Canapes
Fabric, Wood
20th Century French Empire Sofas
Beech
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 1850s Swedish Empire Sofas
Maple
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Empire Sofas
Mohair, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1940s American Sofas
Walnut, Silk, Damask, Upholstery
Early 20th Century French Empire Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique Early 19th Century French Regency Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s American Sofas
Walnut, Silk, Damask, Upholstery
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Empire Sofas
Birch
Antique 1820s American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Empire Sofas
Birch
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Revival Sofas
Fabric, Birch
Antique 1840s French Empire Sofas
Wool, Wood
Vintage 1940s American Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Empire Sofas
Brass
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Regency Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Empire Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American Neoclassical Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique 1840s American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1830s American American Classical Sofas
Brass, Ormolu
Antique 1890s French Renaissance Revival Sofa Tables
Marble
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1810s French Empire Settees
Cherry
Antique Early 19th Century Indian Empire Settees
Reed, Teak
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Settees
Pine
Antique 1820s Swedish Karl Johan Canapes
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century European Empire Daybeds
Fruitwood, Muslin
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire End Tables
Metal
Antique 1820s French Empire Canapes
Antique Mid-19th Century Finnish Empire Sofas
Fabric, Birch
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Empire Sofas
Upholstery, 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
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century North American Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut, Burl
Vintage 1940s American Empire Sofas
Textile, Faux Leather, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Sofas
Linen, Wood
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Shell, Glass, Mahogany
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Concrete
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Leather, Fabric, Velvet, Wood, Ash
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Carved Empire Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Carved Empire Sofa?
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.
- 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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