Baker Chesterfield Sofa
Vintage 1950s American Chesterfield Sofas
Brass
1990s Sofas
Leather
2010s American Chesterfield Sofas
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century American Chesterfield Loveseats
Silk
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century North American Chesterfield Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet
Vintage 1950s American Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
2010s American Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
2010s American Chesterfield Sofas
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chesterfield Loveseats
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Georgian Settees
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Loveseats
Textile, Wood
20th Century American Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
Leather
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2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s South African Minimalist Night Stands
Poplar, Burl
20th Century Unknown Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
20th Century English Art Deco Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Sofas
Chenille
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
1990s American Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Beads
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- What is a Chesterfield sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A Chesterfield sofa is a couch with rolled arms that are as tall as the back of the sofa. They always feature deep button tufting everywhere, including the cushion.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024Why it is called a Chesterfield sofa is because of the person who is believed to have first commissioned it. Popular lore dates the Chesterfield sofa to Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth Earl of Chesterfield. The arbiter of taste and manners in 18th-century England was best known for publishing guides on how to behave in society to attain success. The story goes that he commissioned a sofa in the mid-1700s designed so he could sit on it while not wrinkling his clothes. He later bequeathed it to his godson, and the seating style spread in popularity, eventually becoming an icon of British interior design. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Chesterfield sofas.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, you can indeed reupholster a Chesterfield sofa. Reupholstering your sofa is a great way to make the piece unique and in line with your personal taste. You can also shop a collection of Chesterfield sofas from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A genuine Chesterfield sofa has layers of padding, which is wrapped in horsehair. Also, look for imperfections in the leather. Chesterfields are made with leather, as opposed to synthetic material. Shop a selection of Chesterfield sofas from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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