Portarlington Sofa
Early 20th Century British Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Sofas
Upholstery
Recent Sales
Antique 1850s English Victorian Settees
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Country Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 1880s English Victorian Settees
Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
People Also Browsed
Antique 19th Century Russian Sterling Silver
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Asian William IV Dry Bars
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Doors and Gates
Glass, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments
Chrome
Antique Early 1900s Italian Baroque Revival Figurative Sculptures
Carrara Marble
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1950s American Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Dinner Plates
2010s British Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Antique 18th Century German Rococo Wine Coolers
Tin
20th Century Neoclassical Arms, Armor and Weapons
Steel
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware
Gold
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X Architectural Elements
Stone, Copper
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Tea Sets
Silver
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Wall Mirrors
Porcelain, Mirror
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.