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.
CHESTERFiELD LEGACY BROWN LEATHER KNOLL STUDIO BARCELONA STYLE DAYBED FOOTSTOOL
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Heritage brown leather Chesterfield tufted daybed sofa after the original Knoll Barcelon...
Leather
1 OF 2 GEORGE SMITH EXTRA LARGE CHESTERFiELD BLACK LEATHER TUFTED FOOTSTOOLS
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer 1 of 2 lightly restored very large Black leather Chesterfield buttoned George Smith hearth footstools Please note t...
Leather, Beech
Chesterfield Brown Leather Tufted Square Footstool Vintage Biker Tan Leather
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely Tan brown leather chesterfield tufted footstool A good looking and comfortable stool, it has a nice heritage patina to it We have cleaned ...
Leather
ViNTAGE HAND DYED BROWN LEATHER EXTRA LARGE CHESTERFIELD TUFTED BENCH FOOTSTOOL
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning hand dyed Chestnut Brown Leather Chesterfield Tufted large bench or footstool Ple...
Leather
Sofa / Couch Chesterfield Luxury Baroque Style Design Velvet Red Alcantara Look
Located in Berlin, DE
Exclusive Chesterfield sofa with ottoman in beautiful velvet / alkantara look.
Velvet
Dark brown chesterfield ottoman in cowhide leather
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this elegant and graceful dark brown Chesterfield footstool made of cowhide leather. A leather footstool, also known as a hocker, turns your already comfortable armch...
Cowhide, Leather
ViNTAGE HARDWOOD FRAMED GREEN VELOUR CHESTERFIELD TUFTED LARGE FOOTSTOOL OTTOMAN
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage hand made in England Mahogany framed green Velour Chesterfield tufted footstool Please ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
PAIR OF RESTORED ViNTAGE HAND DYED BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD TUFTED FOOTSTOOLS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
offer for sale this absolutely exquisite pair of fully restored, hand dyed Cigar brown leather, Chesterfield Tufted Baron footstools Please note the delivery fee listed is just a g...
Leather, Hardwood
VINTAGE TAN BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD TUFTED BARON FOOTSTOOL PART OF SUiTE
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, lightly restored aged tan brown leather Chesterfield tufted footstool which is part of a suit...
Leather
LARGE GEORGE SMiTH CHESTERFIELD CHELSEA BROWN LEATHER FOOTSTOOL
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite and highly collectable George Smith fully restored hand dyed Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield...
Leather
Double Sided Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
This leather sofa is upholstered in our high-grade Newport Toffee leather. With tightly tufted backrests and seat cushions with high-density foam, with natural finish brass nailhead details raised on bun feet. With our uniquely treated hand-rubbed and wiped-off finish, we have antiqued the look of the leather to give it a warm and wonderful...
Leather
$2,433 / item
H 15 in W 25.5 in D 15 in
Contemporary Repose Ottoman Footstool Black Smoke Steel & Natural Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Repose contemporary ottoman and footstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turn...
Brass, Steel
Handsome Chesterfield Style Button Tufted Leather Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A handsome sofa with classic Chesterfield elegance, designed with a gently arched back and rolled arms lavishly button tufted and upholstered in rich, red-brown leather. Arms and apr...
Leather, Wood
$4,200 / set
H 30 in W 73 in D 31 in
Vintage Chesterfield Sofa, Leather & Silver Leaf, UK, 1990s Design
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful chesterfield leather sofa in good vintage condition, the buttons are well attached. It is from the 1990’s. It is made of leather and square wood legs with a silver leaf. It...
Silver Leaf
George Smith Leather Upholstered Mahogany Foot Stool
By George Smith
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Raised upon four turned and handsomely finished legs with a wonderful black leather upholstered and tufted cushion affixed with a distinguished band of brass tack nailhead trim. Di...
Leather, Mahogany
The Moreton Footstool, an English Howard-Style footstool
Located in London, GB
The Moreton Footstool, modelled on the design of late 19th Century stools by Howard & Sons, is traditionally hand made in England to the highest standard. The beech frame is raised on hand turned oak legs and traditionally upholstered. Fitted with solid brass cup castors. Wonderfully versatile and comfortable, made to the perfect height for resting legs and generously sized for a tray. This model is available as shown upholstered in 'Fez Weave' by Guy Goodfellow...
Linen, Oak, Down, Feathers
$25,283 / set
H 34.45 in W 77.96 in D 36.23 in
PAIR OF GEORGE SMiTH SOMERVILLE CHESTERFIELD MOHAIR VELVET SOFAS
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of George Smith Somerville Mohair Velvet Chesterfield tufted sofas RRP £30,130 Please no...
Velvet, Hardwood
$1,280
H 14.57 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Mid-20th Century, Cube Pouf / Ottoman in Patinated Brown Leather, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A cube-shaped ottoman, pouf, or stool upholstered in beautifully patinated brown leather with a quilted square pattern. The padded upholstery provides a comfortable seat, while the g...
Leather, Upholstery
Pair Antique Footstools or Benches
Located in New York, NY
Pair antique footstools or benches on casters with floral upholstery. Good condition overall with slight finish loss due to age and use. Can be...
Hardwood
$4,297
H 27 in W 98 in D 35 in
Vintage Hollywood Regency Gold Velvet Sofa, Tufted Chesterfield Style Couch
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
An exquisite vintage Hollywood Regency sofa upholstered in a luxurious gold velvet fabric with a rich, warm tone that glows beautifully under natural light. This elegant statement pi...
Velvet
Mid-Century Gelderland Extra Long Chocolate Brown Leather Ottoman
By Gelderland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gelderland ottoman showcases the Dutch manufacturer's commitment to substantial, functional design. Crafted in chocolate brown leather with a generous cushioned top, the piece demons...
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
Sold
H 13 in W 59.06 in D 42.52 in
ENORMOUS FULLY RESTORED BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFiELD TUFTED HEARTH FOOTSTOOL
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare original, extra large, fully restored, Chesterfield cigar brown leather hearth footstool with...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 17.72 in W 64.77 in D 2.76 in
RESTORED GEORGE SMITH EXTRA LARGE CHESTERFiELD BROWN LEATHER TUFTED FOOTSTOOL
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale a fully restored very large hand dyed brown leather Chesterfield buttoned George Smith hearth footstool Ple...
Leather, Beech
Sold
H 15.75 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
20th Century English Large Round Brown Leather Button-Back Footstool
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Superb early to mid 20th century leather Chesterfield-style footstool or ottoman. This is a fashionable item of furniture capable of uplifting the interior space of any contemporary ...
Leather
Sold
H 16.15 in W 56.5 in D 32.49 in
STUNNiNG HAND DYED BROWN LEATHER GEORGE SMITH CHESTERFIELD TUFTED FOOTSTOOL
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning George Smith Hand Dyed brown leather Chesterfield tufted footstool...
Leather
Sold
H 15.95 in W 32.09 in D 27.37 in
RALPH LAUREN WRITER'S CHESTERFIELD FOOTSTOOL OTTOMAN IN HERiTAGE BROWN LEATHER
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning Vintage Heritage brown leather Ralph Lauren Writer's Chesterfield tufted footstool ottoman P...
Leather, Oak
Sold
H 14.18 in W 19.49 in D 15.36 in
FiNE SMALL FULLY RESTORED CHESTERFIELD HAND DYED BROWN LEATHER TUFTED FOOTSTOOl
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored hand dyed brown leather vintage Chesterfield footstool...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 12.8 in W 37.21 in D 22.25 in
Large Vintage Oxblood Leather 2 Person Footstool with Chesterfield Tufting
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this super comfortable, large, oxblood leather two person Chesterfield tufted footstool A very good looking well made and comfortable footstool,...
Leather
Vintage Brown Leather Ottoman Footstool, Denmark circa 1980
Located in Round Top, TX
Small vintage brown leather ottoman/footstool with tufted seat and nailhead trim. Sold in vintage used condition, solid/stable and ready...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 21.26 in W 44.1 in D 44.1 in
Massive Restored Hand Dyed Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Ottoman Footstool
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely massive, fully restored Ralph Lauren, hand dyed cigar brown leather Victorian style ottoman with huge amounts of internal storage ...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 17.52 in W 21.66 in D 17.72 in
ANTiQUE FULLY RESTORED CHESTERFIELD HAND DYED BROWN LEATHER TUFTED FOOTSTOOL
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, fully restored hand dyed cigar brown leather Chesterfield footstool. Please note the deliver...
Leather, Hardwood
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
Leather Chesterfield Ottoman Bench Seat, Hearth or Window Footstool
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Leather Chesterfield ottoman bench seat, Hearth or Window footstool This delightful piece is upholstered in its original light brown leather, the leather is very thick heavy quality and is very soft and pliable. The leather has slightly faded with age, it is a little creased and bears the marks of a much loved and well used piece This is a beautiful piece of country house chic, suitable as a get around...
Leather