The expansion of the British Empire brought Chesterfield sofas around the world, such as in Canada, where the word “chesterfield” refers to any type of sofa. Antique Chesterfield-style furniture now includes seating in a range of sizes and aesthetics, from velvet love seats and linen-upholstered club chairs to ottomans accompanying classic leather sofas.
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.
Although this origin is not recorded, it resonates with the iconic sofa’s urbane sophistication. Traditionally made with tall rolled arms the same height as the back, deep buttoning on dark brown leather upholstery, tacked trim and an imposing yet elegant profile, it evokes English estates and the gentlemen’s clubs of London. It became a staple amid the Victorian era’s embrace of comfort. Tartan versions were in Queen Victoria’s drawing room at Balmoral Castle, giving the space a Scottish flair.
Some Chesterfield sofas are slimmed down in shape, others have taller legs for a lighter appearance. And while leather Chesterfield sofas are a more common variant — and can easily elevate a workspace as luxury office furniture — a velvet Chesterfield sofa possesses a singular chameleonic property, softening and emboldening the spaces it inhabits. Whether it’s the focal point of a living room, hotel lobby or trendy restaurant, the Chesterfield remains a status symbol, channeling the sophisticated tastes of its namesake.
Find a collection of antique Chesterfield seating, including sofas, settees, armchairs and lounge chairs, on 1stDibs.
$423Sale Price|34% Off
Mid-Century Owl Sculpture on Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage ceramic owl sculpture on stand with glass eyes.
Cast Stone
Folk Art Carved and Painted Owl Decoy, USA, 1900's
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Folk Art carved and painted owl decoy, USA 1900's A decorative barn owl carving decoy Original paint with even wear. Mounted over a new iron stand. We have...
Wood
Bronze Resting Camel Sculpture on Marble Stand French School
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
French School of an Egyptian Middle Eastern Camel Sculpture on Marble Stand. Large and heavy art Deco Style Bronze Resting Camel on White Marble Stand Sculpture. Boasting a dark pati...
Bronze
$1,995
H 3 in W 4.75 in D 1.88 in
Arne Tjomsland 1950s Artic Musk Ox Mid-Century Scandinavian Norway Sculpture Vtg
By Arne Tjomsland, Kay Bojesen
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Rare small musk Ox figure/carving. Hand worked Norwegian Pine wood and leather. Burnished makers marks to bottom. Arne Tjomsland was Norways leading souvenir designer in the 1950s...
Wood
$1,316
H 8.25 in W 13.5 in D 4.5 in
Early 20th Century Hand-Carved Lion Sculpture Statue on Base, King of the Jungle
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and decorative sculpture of the biggest of the big cats. Thankfully, in most countries it is not allowed to keep a lion at home. This quality carved lion therefore is the best chance of being able to enjoy one from up close. This lion sculpture with its beautiful manes and muscular tone is very well and realistically carved and thanks to the wonderful patina it also comes close to a lions true colors. This majestic, powerful and well fed king of the jungle...
Wood
20th Century Bronze Sculpture of a Dancing Faun
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Classic and well-modelled sculpture of a dancing faun.
Bronze
Very Tall Bronze Ndebele Sculpture, Original Mid-Century Modern, 1950s
By Woka Lamps
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful sculpture by an unknown artist, depicting a Ndebele. Despite of occasionally mistakenly attributed to Carl Hagenauer is it undoubtedly a masterpiece. In earlier times,...
Bronze
Brutalist Metal Hand Sculpted Owl Attributed to Sergio Bustamonte
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage hand sculpted Brutalist Mexican metal Folk Art owl attributed to Sergio Bustamonte, circa 1960s.
Metal
$1,345
H 14.5 in W 6 in D 6 in
Sizable Mid-20th Century Carved Oak Owl, Rare and Symbol of Learning and Wisdom
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and beautifully carved owl. This hand-carved owl is well loved by its previous owners and therefor it is still in magnificent condition. Owl sculptures of this period are rare...
Oak
French Early 20th Century Leather Horse Sculpture
Located in Round Top, TX
A very handsome early 20th century French Leather Horse Sculpture. Beautifully poised in a rearing position. Wonderful patina. A terrifi...
Leather
Sold|$800
H 6.5 in W 8 in D 3 in
House Sculpture, Minimalist Modern Structure, Rusted Steel Wedge on Wood Blocks
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, found steel objects are welded together to ...
Metal, Steel
$1,250
H 37 in W 19 in D 30.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Art Deco Table or Floor Sculpture in Mixed Woods
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A funky solid wood sculpture circa 1970's. It features solid ebonized & natural oak.
Wood
Terracotta Sculpture of a Nude Woman Reclining 20th Century Signed
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Ceramic sculpture of a seated female figure. Unglazed terracotta with beautiful texture. Signed T.A.W. and believed to date to the mid-20th century. Measures: 8.5" tall and 8" long.
Terracotta
Set of 6 Vintage Leather Bound Book Boxes
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
2 sets of 3 vintage leather-backed book boxes This set consists of two sets of 3 book boxes. One set has the box-sides made in colorful blue faux marbled paper on board, the other...
Leather