Duncan Sofa
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1920s American Neoclassical Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
20th Century Biedermeier Sofas
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American American Classical Sofas
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Empire Sofas
Mahogany
Vintage 1920s American Books
Paper
Recent Sales
Antique 1790s American Federal Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany, Poplar
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Steel
Antique 19th Century American American Classical Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical Sofas
Vintage 1930s American Empire Sofas
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Sofas
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Vintage 1980s American American Classical Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1940s American Sofas
Wood, Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century American Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century Unknown Empire Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Colonial Revival Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1920s North American Regency Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage 1910s American Hepplewhite Sofas
Damask, Mahogany
Vintage 1930s Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1930s American Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Regency Sofas
Linen, Giltwood, Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Sofas
Poplar, Mahogany
Vintage 1930s American Sofas
Lacquer, Upholstery, Wood
Antique Early 1800s American Federal Sofa Tables
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Federal Sofas
Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Classical Sofas
Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical Sofas
Gold Leaf
Antique 19th Century American Settees
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Federal Sofas
Silk, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical Sofas
Mahogany, Poplar, Silk, Ash, Fabric
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Sofas
Brass
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21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century Turkish Suzani Turkish Rugs
Silk
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Dressers
Mahogany
Antique 1890s English Edwardian Tray Tables
Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 20th Century British Victorian Sofas
Oak
Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Club Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s French Tea Sets
Ceramic
Antique 19th Century English George III Dining Room Tables
Other
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Trumeau Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Dining Room Tables
Mahogany
Antique 1830s Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Cabinets
Glass, Oak, Pine, Paint
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Serving Pieces
Porcelain
Duncan Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Duncan 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To know if your sofa is a Duncan Phyfe, start by examining the materials. Normally, Phyfe used solid mahogany wood. If you see any evidence of veneers or engineered wood, you likely have a reproduction. Also, look closely at the studs and nail-head trim. An original will have securely fastened hardware, and the hardware should appear naturally aged. Find a range of expertly vetted Duncan Phyfe sofas on 1stDibs.
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