Confidante Sofa
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Sofas
Gold, Gold Leaf
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Wood, Giltwood
2010s Portuguese Sofas
Gold Leaf
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20th Century Louis XV Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze
Vintage 1940s Danish Art Deco Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Footstools
Leather
Early 20th Century Spanish Art Deco Tea Sets
Silver
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Aluminum, Steel
Antique Early 18th Century French Baroque Western European Rugs
Silk, Wool
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Sofas
Walnut, Organic Material
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Cotton, Hardwood
2010s British Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Vintage 1950s English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Vintage 1950s American Louis XV Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1940s American Neoclassical Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Cherry
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1920s American French Provincial Sofas
Fabric
2010s British Louis XV Sofas
Hardwood
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century Italian Settees
Gold Leaf
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Wood, Giltwood
1990s American Benches
Linen
Finding the Right sofas for You
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique, new 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. 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.
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