Horsehair Couch
2010s American Chesterfield Sofas
Bronze
2010s American Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Chesterfield Sofas
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Chesterfield Sofas
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Sofas
Satinwood
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Sofas
Beech
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Hemp
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
Late 20th Century English Sofas
Cowhide, Leather
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1930s English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Sofas
Mohair, Wood
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Sofas
Textile, Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1880s English Victorian Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
2010s North American Chesterfield Sofas
Bronze
Vintage 1920s British Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English High Victorian Sofas
Leather, Hardwood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Early Victorian Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Sofas
Fabric, Walnut, Spruce
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Sofas
Bronze
Antique 1880s British Victorian Sofas
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Loveseats
Wood
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Benches
Cherry, Softwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Nutwood
2010s American Art Deco Settees
Fabric
Vintage 1940s Italian Empire Canapes
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
2010s Danish Modern Daybeds
Fabric, Textile, Wool, Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Antique 1890s English High Victorian Settees
Leather, Hardwood
Antique 1860s English Victorian Living Room Sets
Leather
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Rosewood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Canapes
Velvet, Cane, Wood
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Club Chairs
Leather, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Nutwood, Fabric
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Armchairs
Hardwood, Leather
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Armchairs
Leather
Antique 1880s English Victorian Armchairs
Leather
Antique 19th Century British Sofas
2010s American Sofas
Oak, Walnut
Early 2000s Italian Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Sofas
Antique 19th Century Italian Sofas
Wood, Burlap
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Antique 1820s English Sofas
Mahogany
2010s Great Britain (UK) Regency Sofas
Fabric, Beech
2010s Great Britain (UK) Art Deco Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
Antique 1890s British Sofas
Fabric, Birch, Walnut
Vintage 1930s French Rococo Sofas
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Steel
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Settees
Fabric, Beech
2010s American Lounge Chairs
Bouclé, Oak, Walnut
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
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Horsehair Couch For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Horsehair Couch?
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, 2022The most durable fabric for sofas is microfiber furniture fabric. Tightly weaved ultra-fine fibers create durability and add a strong layer of protection against dirt, dust and liquids. You’ll find a variety of sofa designs and styles from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a horsehair sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A horsehair sofa is a piece of furniture large enough to sit two or three people side by side. The term horsehair refers to the fact that its upholstery is fabric made from wefts of hair from a horse's tail. On 1stDibs, shop a range of horsehair sofas.
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