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.
Luxurious Edward Ferrell Tufted Brown Leather Set of 4 Dining Chairs
By Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman 1
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Set of 4 luxurious tufted slightly distressed supple brown leather dining chairs having turned light wood legs and brass nailheads. By Edward Ferrell.
Leather, Walnut
Set of 5 Cowhide Leather Chesterfield Dining Chairs in Light Cognac Color
Located in Harderwijk, NL
We are offering this set of 5 beautiful and luxurious cowhide leather Chesterfield dining/conference chairs in a light cognac color. This stunning set of five Chesterfield chairs exu...
Cowhide, Leather
Set of 4 vintage cowhide leather chesterfield dining chairs
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This characterful set of four vintage cowhide leather Chesterfield dining chairs features a rich deep brown color and offers a comfo...
Cowhide, Leather, Wood
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
Set of Ten Restored Vintage Chesterfield Hardwood Red Leather Dining Armchairs
Located in Miami, FL
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning set of ten Vintage fully restored Chesterfield aged red leather dining chairs A very good looking and well made suite, the frames are...
Leather, Mahogany
Six Hand Dyed Brown Leather Thomas Chippendale Chesterfield Tub Club Armchairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Lovely suite of six, fully restored hand, dyed cigar leather English tub or club armchairs with Thomas Chippendale style floating button Chesterfield seat...
Leather, Oak
FOUR STUNNING VINTAGE OXBLOOD LEATHER HiGH BACK CHESTERFIELD DINING CHAIRS
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning suite of four vintage Chesterfield high back oxblood dining chairs...
Leather, Hardwood
Set of 2 cognac-coloured vintage cow leather chesterfield dining chairs
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This vintage set of two cowhide leather Chesterfield dining chairs features a beautiful deep brown color and offers a comfortable se...
Cowhide, Leather, Wood
Set of 4 cowhide leather Chesterfield dining chairs in light cognac colour
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This wonderful set of 4 Chesterfield chairs exudes luxury and stateliness. These chairs are made of cowhide leather. They are versatile; you can place them at the dining table, but t...
Cowhide, Leather
$5,058 / set
H 31.5 in W 17.33 in D 20.28 in
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brown Beech Six Gio Ponti Style Dining Chairs, 1960s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage six dining chairs or chairs from beech in the style of Gio Ponti 1960s Italy. A wonderful set of six dining chairs in stained dark brown color with newly ...
Fabric, Beech
$16,000 / set
H 35.5 in W 19.5 in D 22.5 in
French Art Deco Style Brown Leather Ebonized Frame Dining Chairs - Set of 8
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Deco Style Brown Leather Ebonized Frame Dining Side Chairs - Set of 8. Item featured has remarkable quality and construction, brass capped ball form feet, ebonized solid ...
Brass
Four Chippendale Revival Dining Armchairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Classic Chippendale style dining armchairs with scroll backs and ball-in-claw feet. Measures: Arm height 26".
Wood
$3,412 / 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
$2,661 / set
H 42.72 in W 20.08 in D 23.23 in
FOUR STUNNING VINTAGE OXBLOOD LEATHER HiGH BACK CHESTERFIELD DINING CHAIRS
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning suite of four vintage Chesterfield high back oxblood dining chairs...
Leather, Hardwood
$3,893
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
Six Bent Chrome Italian Dining Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful set of six Italian Modern dining chairs feature uniquely shaped metal frames with high back leather seats. The sculptural qu...
Metal
$9,600 / set
H 38 in W 18.5 in D 21 in
Vintage Danish Set of Ten Rosewood Eva Dining Chairs by Niels Koefoed
By Niels Koefoed, Koefoeds Hornslet
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Modern 'Eva' dining chairs by Niels Koefoed for Koefoeds Hornslet, circa 1960's. Features a sculptural rosewood frame designed with a tall backrest support. This set incl...
Rosewood
$5,123
H 42.13 in W 30.71 in D 30.71 in
Fully Restored Vintage Chesterfield Porters Wingback Armchair Brown Leather
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning vintage Porters barrel back armchair in whisky brown leather This chair a real tour de force, is has absolutely everything going ...
Leather
$9,800 / set
H 34.65 in W 19.3 in D 21.26 in
Jørgen Christensens Set of Eight Dining Chairs in Cognac Leather and Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jørgen Christensen, set of eight dining chairs, leather, oak, brass, Denmark, 1950s Exclusive set of eight dining chairs designed by Danish designer and cabinetmaker Jørgen Christe...
Brass
Unavailable|$2,106 / set
H 29.93 in W 20.87 in D 20.48 in
Modern Vintage Ten Black Beech Yellow Faux Leather Dining Chairs 1980s Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage ten dining chairs or armchairs from beech and faux leather in black and yellow color Italy 1980s. A beautiful set of 10 dining chairs with armrests a simple and bold color combination of black and mustard yellow from beech and faux leather. All chairs are stable and sturdy, while the surface shows signs of age and use like abrasions and scratches on both, the frame and the seat cover. So we title the condition as distressed. The slightly curved shape from these dining chairs offers to take a seat for a lovely meeting with your friends and family. The chairs could also perfect work in a hospitality such as a boutique hotel or restaurant as well as in a working space or office in the entry room...
Faux Leather, Beech
$5,267 / set
H 29.93 in W 18.51 in D 18.12 in
Scandinavian Modern Six Vintage Teak Dining Chairs or Chairs Peter Hvidt Denmark
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage organic dining chairs or chairs from teak designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Moolgard Nielsenfor Søborg Mobler DK, circa 1956. These wonderful dining chairs ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Sold
H 45.08 in W 22.25 in D 25.99 in
FOUR RESTORED RALPH LAUREN BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD DINING CHAIRs
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning suite of four Ralph Lauren Telford Art Deco style brown leather dining chairs RRP £24,000 P...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 34.06 in W 19.49 in D 21.46 in
Set of 18 Restored Vintage Chesterfield Hardwood Brown Leather Dining Chairs
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this stunning set of 18 Vintage Beresford & Hicks hand made in England fully restored Chesterfield aged cigar brown cattle hide leather dining chairs. A ...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 33.47 in W 19.3 in D 19.69 in
Suite of Four Aged Pretol Brown Leather & Hardwood Chesterfield Dining Chairs 4
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of four petrol brown coloured Chesterfield dining chairs with Mahogany frames A very good looking and decorative set of chair...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 33.67 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in
Lovely Set of Six Vintage Chesterfield Mahogany Framed Oxblood Dining Chairs 6
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning set of six vintage Chesterfield aged oxblood leather dining chairs A very good looking and well made suite, the frames are all mah...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 36.42 in W 25.2 in D 27.96 in
Pair of Chesterfield Carved Hardwood & Oxblood Leather Gainsborough Armchairs 2
By MillBrook Furnishings, Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this stunning pair of Chesterfield Gainsborough carver armchairs in oxblood leather with hand carved mahogany H frames made by MillBrook furniture Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only, for an accurate quote please send me your postcode The chairs are a lovely find and in original condition throughout, both are fully buttoned and look glorious from every angle Ideally suited as occasional or luxury office...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 33.67 in W 22.05 in D 23.04 in
Set of 10 Fully Restored Chesterfield Dining Chairs Whisky Brown Leather Ten Set
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this rare set of fully restored hand dyed Whisky brown leather Chesterfield dining chairs A very good looking...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 33.86 in W 20.48 in D 21.26 in
6 Mahogany Beresford & Hicks England Dining Chairs Chesterfield Leather Hide
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for auction this lovely set of 6 original Beresford & Hicks England green Chesterfield leather genuine hide mahogany framed dining chairs. A lovely solid...
Leather, Mahogany