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.
Antique Carved Chesterfield Style Chaise Lounge Upholstered in Italian Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Chesterfield Style Carved Oak Button Tufted Chaise Lounge with Carved Lion's Paw Feet Upholstered in Soft Italian Cognac Color Leather Provide your living room with unique a...
Leather, Oak
Vintage English Chesterfield Style Rolled Arm Red Leather Club Lounge Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Tufted Red Leather English Chesterfield Club Chair. Item features rolled arms and wings in the English taste, a nicely sloped silhouette, red antiqued leather upholstery, and traditional brass nail head trim on rolling casters. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 36" H x 33.5" W x 36" D x 16" Seat height.
Leather
$17,422Sale Price / item|20% Off
The Flying Wing Humidor Chair from our Signature Collection
Located in London, GB
This is our Signature Flying Wing Aviator chair with built-in humidor. Crafted to order. Fully humidified and crafted using a combination of Spanish C...
Brass, Copper, Stainless Steel
STUNNING HARRIS TWEED MADE IN ENGLAND BROWN LEATHER SOFA PART OF LARGE SUiTE
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super comfortable and very stylish Harris Tweed brown leather three seat sofa which is part of a large ...
Leather, Upholstery
$2,721Sale Price|20% Off
Antique 19th Century Library Captains Chair in Hand Dyed Aqua Marine Leather
Located in London, GB
As a furniture maker and Lapada dealer we always have an extensive stock of pieces - approximately 250 piece stock level. This is a beautiful piece. Fully restored by ourselves an...
Leather
Exceptional Pair of MidC Chesterfield Wing Back Chairs in Original Leather
Located in London, GB
As a LAPADA dealer and furniture maker, I have many many pieces in stock and extensive resources. This particular set is a very very beautiful collection of pieces. The hand dy...
Leather
$40,835Sale Price / item|25% Off
Crocodile Humidor Chair from Our Signature Collection
Located in London, GB
Our crocodile skin humidor chair is a very special piece indeed. We can craft these pieces using various species of crocodile leathers which can be finished either as pre-dyed or hand dyed giving a truly luxurious patina. This particular piece is horse tail...
Crocodile
$3,265Sale Price / set|20% Off
Exceptional MidC Chesterfield Wing Back Chairs in Original Soft Lemon Leather
Located in London, GB
As a LAPADA dealer and furniture maker, I have many many pieces in stock and extensive resources. This is a particularly well drawn gentlemen's wing back chair finished in an amazin...
Leather
PAIR OF CHESTERFiELD HARRIS TWEED BROWN LEATHER HALL CHAIRS PART OF LARGE SUITE
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super comfortable and very stylish pair of Harris Tweed brown leather hall chairs which are part of a l...
Leather, Upholstery
Dark brown cowhide Chesterfield dining/side/desk chair in English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This impressive dark brown Chesterfield chair features the classic English look. Upholstered in cowhide leather, it is finished with refined decorative nailhead trim. The chair is hi...
Cowhide, Leather, Wood
Cowhide Leather Chesterfield Dining / Side Chair in English Style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this beautiful and luxurious cowhide leather Chesterfield dining or side chair in classic English style, finished in a light cognac color. This stunning Chesterfield ...
Cowhide, Leather, Wood
Nice Pair of Oxblood Leather Vintage Chesterfield Gainsborough Side Chairs
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of oversized, Chesterfield tufted, Oxblood leather Gainsborough side chairs A very good looking and expertly crafted pair, the...
Leather
Antique 19th Century Library Captains Chair Restored in Hand Dyed Leathers
Located in London, GB
As a furniture maker and LAPADA dealer we always have an extensive stock of pieces - approximately 250 piece stock level. This is a beautiful piece. Fully restored by ourselves an...
Leather
Six Vintage Restored Hand Dyed Brown Leather Chesterfield Tufted Dining Chairs
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of six fully restored Chesterfield tufted dining chairs These are a very good looking and well made chairs, you have two carve...
Leather, Hardwood
$3,864
H 40.56 in W 25.79 in D 27.76 in
Antique Restored Leather William IV Hardwood Chesterfield Captains Armchair
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely, antique, fully restored original mahogany framed circa 1830 hand dyed Chesterfield Bordeaux leather director's chair. Please note t...
Leather, Hardwood
$3,403 / set
H 27.56 in W 43.31 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Vintage Distressed Brown Leather Chesterfield Club Tub Armchairs
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of Vintage distressed brown leather chesterfield club tub armchairs. A gorgeous pair with buttoned buttons, typical chesterfiel...
Leather
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.29 in W 18.51 in D 18.9 in
Pair of 19th Century Biedermeier Fruitwood Side Chairs
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of beautifully honey colored fruitwood Biedermeier side chairs, with gently curved rectangular backs, the top and side inlaid with banding, the splat carved with a stylized flower head, on sabre legs. Newly upholstered in black Prussian horse hair fabric...
Fruitwood
$2,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 27 in W 60 in D 23 in
Mid Century Upholstered Lounge Chair in the Style of Adrian Pearsall
Located in Basel, BS
Very cool and unique Mid Century Original Lounge Chair Floor rocker. This chair rocks, and if you put stoppers on it, it will remain stable. Perfect centerpiece as well as conversati...
Walnut, Upholstery
$1,840
H 36 in W 21.5 in D 19.5 in
Inlaid Teak Armless Chair from India, Anglo-Indian Style, Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful armless chair, handcrafted in India out of aged and naturally seasoned teak wood, inlaid with responsibly sourced bone, and complemented by a removable cushion. Inlay is...
Bone, Teak
$18,376 / set
H 28.75 in W 85.44 in D 35.44 in
Old Chesterfield Club Three Piece Sofa & Pair of Armchairs Suite Brown Leather
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning vintage restored Chesterfield cigar brown leather Library suite A very rare find, I never come across original sets of three piece...
Leather
Tufted Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted from premium top-grain leather, this sofa boasts a rich caramel hue that invites warmth into any living space. The intricate button-tufted detailing on the backrest provides ...
Leather
$2,630 / item
H 37.41 in W 19.3 in D 17.72 in
Palace Wood Chair, by George Sowden for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Memphis Group, George Sowden
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Palace chair in colored lacquered wood, designed in 1983, by George Sowden. George Sowden was born in Leeds, UK in 1942. He studied architecture at Glou...
Wood
$9,528 / set
H 34.65 in W 35.83 in D 37.41 in
Antique Pair of Thomas Chippendale Style Chesterfield Brown Leather Armchairs
By Chesterfield, Thomas Chippendale
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of fully restored, Thomas Chippendale style, Victorian hand dyed brown leather Chesterfield buttoned club armchairs with Claw & Ba...
Leather
$5,376
H 30.32 in W 32.09 in D 30.71 in
Antique Restored Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Tufted Library Armchair
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, circa 1900 fully restored Chesterfield tufted library armchair A very rare find, I never come across original library ...
Leather
$6,125 / set
H 33.47 in W 20.87 in D 21.26 in
Six Vintage Restored Hand Dyed Brown Leather Chesterfield Tufted Dining Chairs
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of six fully restored Chesterfield tufted dining chairs These are a very good looking and well made chairs, you have two carve...
Leather, Hardwood
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Chair. Vienna, c. 1825
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine Biedermeier side chair was made in Vienna circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier pieces are distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design, exc...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 75 in W 37 in D 33 in
Fine Custom Brass Nail Head Trimmed Green Leather Tufted Porter Canopy Chair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Green Leather Porter’s Chair with Canopy, Brass Nailhead Trim, and Storage Doors – A Statement of Timeless English Craftsmanship This stunning green leather Porter’s chair is a modern homage to one of history’s most distinctive and functional furniture forms. Expertly crafted in hand-tufted full-grain leather, this piece features a tall, enveloping canopy back designed to cocoon the sitter in warmth and privacy. The chair is accented with precise brass nailhead trim and includes hidden storage doors at the base, combining luxury design with practical utility. Originating in 18th-century England and France, porter’s chairs...
Brass
Sold
H 58 in W 30 in D 45.5 in
Vintage English Chesterfield Style Tufted Leather Chair on a Shoe Shine Stand
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage English Chesterfield Style Tufted Leather Chair on a Shoe Shine Stand Classic vintage custom English Chesterfield style burgundy tufted leather chair. This beautiful chair c...
Brass
English Leather Armchair Wingback Chesterfield
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering one of our recent Palm Beach Estate fine furniture acquisitions of an early 1900s traditiona...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 28 in W 40.5 in D 24.5 in
Pair, Vintage Brown Leather Chesterfield Club Arm Chairs from England circa 1960
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, vintage brown leather chesterfield club arm chairs on castors. Upholstered in tight button-tufted brown leather with nail head trim, rolled arms with decorative pleating and loose seat cushions. Sits comfortably and low with seat height at 15.25" Sold in original vintage condition. Wear, scuffs, scratches, creases, crackled/distress to leather resulting in rich, aged patina. Please refer to professional photos for clear understanding of color (multi layered in this pair of chairs), condition and details. With over 37 years of experience selling European antiques, our brick-and-mortar storefront, Round Top Ranch...
Leather
Sold
H 28 in W 44.5 in D 36 in
Pair Vintage Red Leather Chesterfield Club Arm Chairs from England circa 1950-60
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, vintage red leather chesterfield style club armchairs. Upholstered in studded, button-tufted red leather, rolled arms and loose seat cushions. Sits comfortably; sold in original vintage condition. Wear, scuffs, scratches, creases, crackled/distress to leather resulting in aged patina. Measures: Seat height: 18". Please refer to professional photos for clear understanding of color, condition and details. With over 37 years of experience selling European antiques, our brick-and-mortar storefront, Round Top Ranch...
Leather
Sold
H 27.56 in W 39.38 in D 35.04 in
Lovely Comfortable Tetrad Cordoba Brown Leather Chesterfield Armchair
By Tetrad, John Lewis
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very comfortable brown leather tetrad cordoba chesterfield armchair. We have lightly restored this by cleaning it, hand waxed, and hand pol...
Leather
Sold
H 37.5 in W 30.5 in D 32 in
Pair, Vintage Brown Leather Wing Back Arm Chairs, Denmark circa 1960s
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, vintage brown leather wingback armchairs with nail head accents. Sold in original used vintage condition. Signs of wear ...
Leather
Sold
H 36.5 in W 30 in D 34 in
Pair, Vintage Brown Leather Wingback Chesterfield Club Chairs Denmark, Circa 195
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, brown leather Chesterfield wingback club chairs in brown leather with aged patina. Indented wings, block feet, buttons and nailhead trim in place. Aged leather reflects gener...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 33 in W 37 in D 34 in
Pair, Vintage Brown Leather Barrel Back Club Chairs, Denmark circa 1940-60
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, vintage leather barrel back club chairs with oak wood frame base and feet. Good looking vintage brown leather, nailheads and buttons. Natural distress including scratchs, marks, dings reflect generations of use. One chair missing 3 buttons. Sold in vintage condition. Seat Height: 19" With over 37 years of experience selling European antiques, our brick-and-mortar storefront, Round Top Ranch...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 41.5 in W 24.5 in D 27 in
Vtg Oxblood Burgundy Naugahyde Chesterfield Swivel Office Desk Executive Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Oxblood Burgundy Naugahyde Chesterfield Style Swivel Office Desk Executive Chair. Item features a swivel and tilt seat, adjustable height, oxblood burgundy button tufted naug...
Wood
Vintage Ralph Lauren Tufted Chesterfield Wingback Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Ralph Lauren Oversized Tufted Chesterfield Wingback Lounge Chair & Ottoman Newly Upholstered in a High End Full-Grain Cognac Distressed Italian Leather - 2 Piece Set This beautiful wingback chair and ottoman is meant to be totally enjoyed and lived in. A great addition to a home library...
Metal
Sold
H 38.98 in W 24.41 in D 27.56 in
Hand Dyed Vintage Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Directors Office Armchair
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored hand dyed Cigar brown leather Chesterfield directors office library armchair A good looking well made and decorativ...
Leather, Hardwood