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.
Large Restored Hand Dyed Chesterfield Brown Leather Sofa Large Bench Piece
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand made in England large fully restored Chesterfield brown leather bench This piece is exquisite, fully restored, made in England ...
Leather
2 Beautiful Chesterfield Stools in Beige Leather Oval Shape
Located in Berlin, DE
2 beautiful Chesterfield stools in beige leather oval shape. Made in Italy.
Leather
Modern Leather and Steel Sling Stool or Bench
Located in East Hampton, NY
Great looking modern polished steel and leather sling stool or bench.
Steel
Pair of Modern Tufted Leather X Frame Stools
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern tufted leather X frame stool, classic meets contemporary with this versatile piece. The top boxed cushion is crafted in rich brown leather accented with button tufting, it s...
Metal
$5,294
H 31.5 in W 80.71 in D 41.34 in
RESTORED HAND DYED LEATHER 2.5 SEATER CHESTERFiELD TETRAD OSCAR SOFA
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London This restored 2.5 seater Chesterfield sofa is the celebrated Oscar model by Tetrad, a design that reinterprets the traditional Chesterfield with a more relaxed, ...
Leather
$5,294
H 30.32 in W 53.94 in D 32.29 in
Fully Restored Hand Dyed Whiskey Brown Leather Two Seater Sofa '2/2'
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to present this Gorgeous Art Deco fully restored whiskey brown hand-dyed leather sofa. Condition-wise, the sofa has been fully restored, washed back, and hand dye...
Leather
$5,844
H 31.5 in W 90.56 in D 41.34 in
RESTORED HAND DYED LEATHER THREE SEATER CHESTERFiELD TETRAD OSKAR SOFA
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London This restored three seater Chesterfield sofa is the distinguished Oskar model by Tetrad, a design that reimagines the classic Chesterfield with broader proporti...
Leather
Modern Tufted Leather X Frame Stool
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern tufted leather X frame stool, classic meets contemporary with this versatile piece. The top boxed cushion is crafted in rich brown leather accented with button tufting, it s...
Metal
Leather Chesterfield Style Sofa
Located in Montreal, QC
Leather Chesterfield Style sofa
Leather
Contemporary Stool in Carved Maple, Brass and Leather
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bone Stool001 from Series 001 by Vincent Pocsik. Carved maple stool with leather cushion top and brass accents. Shown here in a bone and natural vegetan leather top. Vincent Pocsik finds the balance between old and new fabrication techniques working in conjunction to find an anatomical form that creates its own presence. Series 001 is about finding that point in each piece, personifying it, letting it find itself in the scale and figure, then stopping it at the place where it seems most stabile. All furniture pieces are made inside his shop in Los Angeles. All glass, metal and upholstery work is done with local Los Angeles craftsmen. Dimension: 16" L x 16" W x 18” H - Custom sizing available for: counter stool, bar stool and floor stool.
Brass
Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique Chesterfield living room sofa features rich patina leather, complimented by deep tufts, upholstery buttons, and scrolled arms, while tapered hardwood legs provide a sturd...
Leather
Chesterfield Burgundy Leather Button-Tufted Sofa
By Chesterfield
Located in Astoria, NY
Chesterfield Burgundy Leather Button Down Two-Seat Sofa. 33" H x 81" W x 40" D; seat: 17.5" H. Provenance: From a Park Avenue Collection.
Leather, Upholstery
$5,844
H 37.8 in W 63.78 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Cigar Brown Hand Dyed Leather Camel Back Chesterfield Two Seater Sofa
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are excited to present this vintage cigar brown hand-dyed leather camel back chesterfield two seater sofa. A very classic design with a lovely...
Brass
$13,487 / set
H 27.2 in W 21.6 in D 14.5 in
Set of 3 Counter Stool, Contemporary Design, Black Steel & Black Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Wanderlust contemporary counter stool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turned m...
Steel
George Smith Attr. Chesterfield Style Bench
By George Smith
Located in Astoria, NY
George Smith Attributed Chesterfield Style Brown Tufted Leather Bench, raised on turned wood feet. Some wear to upholstery. Some buttons require retufting
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 24.22 in W 49.22 in D 15.75 in
ANTIQUE DUTCH MARQUETRY INLAID CLAW & BALL FEET CHESTERFiELD BROWN LEATHER BENCH
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very fine highly collectable antique circa 1860 Dutch Marquetry inlaid, Claw & Ball feet, brown leather...
Leather, Hardwood, Walnut
Sold
H 16.5 in W 42 in D 23 in
1940s English Leather Chesterfield Style Bench / Coffee Table with Storage
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1940s English Chesterfield style tufted leather bench with storage. It is a wonderful piece with quite a bit of character. The storage will surely make it a family favorite.
Leather
Faye Button Tufted Settee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fresh take on the classic Chesterfield, the Faye Button Tufted Settee pairs immaculate fabrication and finishing with supreme comfort. Upholstered in o...
Linen, Maple
Sold
H 17.33 in W 55.12 in D 35.44 in
Antqiue Chesterfield Brown Leather Hearth Footstool Ottoman Wagon Wheel Castors
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very large, fully restored, hand dyed brown leather Chesterfield hearth stool ottoman with oversized wagon wheel c...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 15.75 in W 25.01 in D 16.93 in
Fully Restored Vintage Chesterfield Bordeaux Leather Hand Dyed Footstool Bench
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored hand dyed Cherry Bordeaux leather Chesterfield footstool A very good l...
Leather
Sold
H 13.39 in W 29.34 in D 20.08 in
Pair of Fully Restored Claw & Ball Feet Oxblood Leather Chesterfield Footstools
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this stunning pair of fully restored hand dyed oxblood leather chesterfield footstools A very good looking and well-made pair, they have been reupholstered wit...
Leather
Sold
H 12.6 in W 29.53 in D 19.69 in
Stunning Fully Restored Chesterfield Brown Leather Hand Dyed Footstool Ottoman
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored hand dyed brown leather Chesterfield footstool Please note the delivery fee ...
Leather
Sold
H 14.57 in W 42.13 in D 17.13 in
Fully Restored Vintage Chesterfield Brown Leather Hand Dyed Footstool Bench
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored hand dyed brown leather Chesterfield bench footstool A very good looking and well made piece, it has been reupholst...
Leather
Sold
H 18.51 in W 28.15 in D 16.15 in
Restored Chesterfield Hardwood Framed Cigar Brown Leather Piano Bench Stool
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
This sale is for a stunning late 20th century, fully restored Chesterfield Piano stool or single bench seat in cigar brown leather A very g...
Leather
Sold
H 18.12 in W 51.19 in D 21.26 in
Curved Regency Restored Walnut and Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Bench Stool
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Regency curved frame solid walnut hand dyed brown leather bench stool An absolutely stunning find, designed to sit in a b...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 19.69 in W 80.71 in D 15.75 in
Large Bench in Walnut and Chesterfield Leather, Charles X Period
By Jean-Francois Hache
Located in Grenoble, FR
A French Large bench in walnut and chesterfield leather, Charles X period, 1830 New leather.
Leather