English Arm Rolled Back Sofa
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Linen
1990s Sofas
Cotton
Vintage 1960s English Sofas
Upholstery
2010s American Sofas
Upholstery
2010s American Sofas
Upholstery
2010s American Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 1820s British Regency Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Early 2000s American Georgian Sofas
Leather
1990s American Sofas
Damask
2010s American Georgian Sofas
Brass
Early 20th Century Chippendale Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany, Down
20th Century British Chippendale Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Modern Sofas
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
2010s American Modern Sofas
Velvet, Down, Feathers
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Linen, Foam, Down
Late 20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1930s English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Early 20th Century English Sofas
Hardwood, Leather
Vintage 1930s English Sofas
Leather
Antique Early 1900s English Georgian Settees
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1920s British Settees
Silk, Upholstery, Velvet, Lacquer, Cane, Rattan
20th Century English Art Deco Armchairs
Leather
Antique Early 19th Century Benches
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary North American Sofas
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary North American Sofas
Linen
2010s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Sofas
Upholstery
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Sofas
Mahogany
2010s English Sofas
Brass
20th Century English George III Wingback Chairs
Leather
2010s American Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Early 2000s American Club Chairs
Linen
People Also Browsed
2010s Greek Night Stands
Wood
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Lambskin, Oak, Wool, Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Dressers
Steel
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Sideboards
Cedar
Antique 19th Century Bergere Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Paint
2010s Unknown Club Chairs
Brocade
21st Century and Contemporary Books
Foil
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Greek Figurative Sculptures
Statuary Marble
20th Century English Art Deco Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut, Faux Leather
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Table Lamps
Glass
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Night Stands
Wood
Antique 1880s French Louis XV Daybeds
Walnut
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Club Chairs
Leather, Wood
English Arm Rolled Back Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an English Arm Rolled Back 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022An English roll arm sofa is a style of sofa that is recognizable by its deep seat, tight untufted back and rolled arms. You can shop a collection of English roll arm sofas from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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