Mid-Century Danish Modern Sofa by Kurt Olsen Model 220 Papa Bear Style, 1960's
By Kurt Olsen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian designed sofa by Kurt Olsen for Slagelse Mobelvaerk as Model 220. This iconic sofa has a slight curve to it and teak "nails" on the armrest in typica...
Wool
Kurt Olsen 'Papa Bear' Model 220 Sofa by Slagelse Møbevaerk
By Kurt Olsen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Ottawa, ON
Sofa designed by Kurt Olsen and manufactured in Denmark by Slagelse Møbelvaerk. The back of the sofa has a gentle curve and the armrests have teak 'bear paw' teak arm caps. The pi...
Teak
AP19 Papa Bear Chair by Hans J. Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Shibuya City, JP
AP-19 Papa Bear chair, 1953 This papa bear chair was reupholstered in October 2022 with "Hallingdal 65/153" fabric by Kvadrat, a reputable Danish fabric company. The Hallingdal se...
Upholstery, Beech, Pine
Danish Modern “Papa Bear” Sofa
By Kurt Olsen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Danish modern teak “Papa Bear” sofa in the style of Kurt Olsen.
Fabric, Teak
Kurt Olsen Model-220 “Papa Bear” Sofa for Slagelse Mobelvaerk
By Kurt Olsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Kurt Olsen Manufacturer: Slagelse Mobelvaerk Period/Style: Danish Modern Country: Denmark Date: 1950’s Dimensions: 30.5″H x 70″L x 34″W Seat Height 18.25″ Material...
Teak
Papa Bear Sofa by Erton
Located in Pasadena, CA
8 tapered legs support a boomerang shape body which is extremely comfortable! The upholstery has been redone in rust color mohair. A plus sofa which invites one to sit for hours. ...
Wood, Upholstery
Ensamble Pouf in Escondido Laredo 4
By Caterina Moretti
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco
The word "ensamble" means a set and comes from the French "ensemble," referring to one with another, together. From their own individuality, Peca (Guadalajara, 2007) and Studio84 (M...
Wood, Upholstery
Pins Medium Side Table
By Marioni
Located in Milan, IT
Colorful and sophisticated, this side table will make an elegant statement in a contemporary living room, where it can be displayed alone or combined with others in the same Pins col...
Brass
The 'Matisse' Etagere
Located in London, GB
The 'Matisse' wrought iron side table. A hand made and patinated wrought iron etagere with whimsical Matisse style cut-out decoration. Made to order based on a 1960s original. Avail...
Wrought Iron
$1,740 / item
H 32.29 in W 18.12 in D 9.06 in
Murano Art Glass and Brass Pink Color Wall Light and Sconces, 2020
Located in Roma, Lazio
This charming wall lamp is entirely handmade in Murano. Each single leaf is handcrafted in high quality Murano blown glass; that's why each leaf is slightly different from the other....
Brass
$3,450
H 34 in W 72.5 in D 32 in
Danish Midcentury 3-Seater Sofa in Solid Oak and Wool by Henry Kjærnulf, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare and sought after sofa attributed to Danish Designer, Henning Kjaernulf made from quarter-sawn white oak, Hand carved in brutalist style seeking inspiration from art & crafts...
Brass
Lounge Chair by Kurt Olsen for Slagelse Mobelvaerk
By Kurt Olsen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A beautiful early example, freshly reupholstered in finest quality wool fabric, as closely as possible to the original color scheme of two shades of grey.
Wool, Teak
Capiz Shell Table Lamp, Model Cornelia
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cornelia Table Lamp is a lamp that is made from capiz shells which gives the material an irregular structure. This makes each lamp unique, something that adds to its character and pe...
Brass
Midcentury Italian Large Curved Sofa, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Italian 20th century vintage curved four-seat sofa composed of six splayed polished legs, large wing shaped arms and a statement high back in the style of Ico Parisi. Rare...
Fabric
Pair of Tulips Murano Glass and Brass Sconces
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of wall lamps, entirely handmade in Murano, Italy, that bring the energy of Nature and Feng Shui into your interior. This pair of modern organic wall lamps is composed of a hand...
Brass
$3,898Sale Price|30% Off
H 36.23 in W 71.66 in D 37.41 in
Gio Ponti N. 512 Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for ISA, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Elegant and splendid three-seater sofa with high backrest by Gio Ponti, 1950s, for ISA Edizioni, Bergamo, model N. 512. Carved profile, refined lines, sensual and deep comfort. The u...
Beech, Fabric
Carl Malmsten "Samsas" Sofa for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1960s
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Utrecht, NL
“Samsas” is for many the most associated series with Carl Malmsten. The designer devoted his life to the renewal of traditional Swedish craftsmanship, inspired by Swedish country man...
Fabric, Wood
Luigi Gorgoni for Roche Bobois Sideboard in Solid Elm
By Luigi Gorgoni, Roche Bobois
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Gorgoni for Roche Bobois, sideboard, solid elm, France, 1980s The Italian designer and architect Luigi Gorgoni designed furniture pieces for Roche Bobois since the mid 1970s. ...
Elm
$6,470 / set
H 34.65 in W 28.75 in D 29.53 in
Set of Two Montreux Armchairs in Retro-Style In Custom High Performance Velvet
Located in New York, NY
This set of two Montreux armchairs brings retro-inspired elegance to life through soft sculptural lines and enveloping comfort. Upholstered in a sumptuous chocolate velvet, the chair...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
$2,355Sale Price|30% Off
H 38.19 in W 98.43 in D 34.26 in
Gigi Radice Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for Minotti, 1950s
By Gigi Radice, Minotti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa designed by Gigi Radice for Minotti. Made with solid wood structure and blue velvet covering and legs in brass and black lacquered metal. It is recommended to replace the lining...
Brass
Swedish Modern Sofa with Cherry Wood Legs, Sweden 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Designed in the early phase of what we know today as mid-century modern, this charming sofa is a unique evidence of how traditional Swedish craftsmanship was brought into modernism. ...
Wood, Fabric
$6,672 / item
H 59.06 in W 59.06 in D 3.94 in
Murano Art Glass and Brass Midcentury Chandelier / Wall Light, 2000
Located in Roma, Lazio
Wonderful piece of Murano that can be mounted both as a wall lamp and as a ceiling chandelier. Particular and original applique from the Murano glass factory. Very particular lightin...
Brass
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.
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