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 Leather Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two cushion loveseat sofa by Thomas Lloyd. Beautiful worm leather throughout with leather covered buttons, scrolling arms and nail head trim. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Leather
$7,108 / item
Vintage Style Classic Chesterfield Sofa, Cuban Cigar
Located in Westwood, NJ
A vintage-style classic English Chesterfield leather upholstered sofa, with top-grain leather in a vintage Cuban cigar color. With tufted backrest and rollo...
Leather, Wood
Red Leather Wingback Chesterfield Loveseat Double Chair, England circa 1960
Located in Round Top, TX
It is the deep red color of the vintage leather that captures your attention in this wonderful wingback Chesterfield loveseat or "double chair." It has the traditional tufted buttone...
Leather, Wood
$7,880 / item
Vintage Style Classic Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
A vintage style Classic English Chesterfield leather upholstered sofa, with top-grain leather in a Havana brown finish. With tufted backrest and rollover arms, with two padded cushio...
Leather
Late Victorian Two-Seat Chesterfield Sofa 'to Be Colored on Request', circa 1890
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A late Victorian two-seat mahogany Chesterfield sofa, of typical form with rolled arms and two-seat cushions, on the original castors, reupholstered in natural leather (to be colored...
Mahogany
Caramel Leather Chesterfield Loveseat in 20th Century American Style
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well made, tight and comfortable distressed Leather Love Seat with stylish form. With high rolled and out curved arms and button tufted back and deep skirt. With two shaped se...
Leather, Wood
Michael Van Beuren Three Seater Woven Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bauhaus trained, Mexico City based designer, Michael Van Beuren created highly functional modern pieces inspired by Mexican vernacular styles and materials. This example, c.1950s Mex...
Rattan, Pine
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
$3,050
H 28.5 in W 66 in D 33 in
20th C. Vintage Brown Leather Chesterfield 2 Seat Sofa Loveseat from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
The soft patina of the brown vintage leather captures your attention in this wonderful Chesterfield loveseat or two seat sofa. It has the traditional tufted buttoned back and rolled ...
Leather, Wood
Vivai del Sud Italian Two Seat Sofa
Located in New York, NY
A vibrant and cheerful Vivai del Sud two seat sofa in gold and cream silk moire fabric; original upholstery. The smooth and sensuous form, combined with the sweet color, creates an a...
Fabric
Vintage 1961 Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Kroehler, Chicago
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A rare and fully documented example of early 1960s American modernism, this Kroehler sofa carries an extraordinary provenance detail: the original purcha...
Upholstery
$14,475
H 32.5 in W 92 in D 25 in
1940s Style Modernist Sweeping Curved Sofa in Oyster Velvet by High Style Deco
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist sofa was handcrafted by artisans in New York state, by High Style Deco, based off a design from the 1940s. It offers elegant proportions and sweeping dramatic...
Velvet, Wood
Mid Century Danish Modern Small Red Leather loveseat Sofa oak Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern beautiful soft Red leather loveseat sofa oak legs. Beautiful Red leather is soft and shows little to no signs of use but broken in nicely. Great small Danis...
Leather, Oak
Elegant French Style Carved Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and deep French Style sofa with elaborately carved and shaped frame with a floral basket crest. The arm ends with carved acanthus leaves and bell flowers along the front frame and skirt. Raised on short fluted tapering legs in front and square in back. Upholstered in a very pleasing Aqua tweed fabric. Along with two matching pillows and two complementary machine embroidered pillows with leaves...
Wood
20th Century Spanish Brown Vintage Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Round Top, TX
20th century Spanish brown leather Chesterfield sofa. Classic Chesterfield form with rolled arms, tufted button back, and tufted lower front. Upholstered in brown vintage leather wit...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Petite Sofa or Loveseat Attributed to Overman
By Overman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural looking sofa from the 1970s. It features original upholstery and chrome-plated steel legs.
Steel
19th Century Italian Louis XV Style Giltwood Loveseat
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Italian Louis XV style giltwood loveseat. Lovely 19th century Italian Louis XV style giltwood loveseat, sofa, canapé or settee. This antique sofa would work well in an ...
Giltwood
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 59.5 in D 32 in
Leather Box Style Loveseat Sofa by Charles Pfister for Knoll
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Chic, sophisticated, and voguish loveseat sofa, designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll. This example was executed in grayish blue leather, it is in good, original condition, showing l...
Leather
$11,415Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.78 in W 84.26 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Fuchsia Sofa by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous fabric sofa designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for the fine manufacturer Azucena Italia. The vintage sofa is made of brown, fuchsia and purple striped fabric, which creates a very colorful geometric effect. The lines are very hard and geometric, wonderfully eccentric. The frame is made of anodized aluminum, shiny silver, which connects to the spectacularly beautiful square, hollowed out feet. The cushions also act as square armrests, very colorful. The sofa comes from the Rome home of Luigi Caccia Dominioni. The colored sofa are ideal for furnishing eccentric and colorful living rooms.
Metal
Nicoletti Modern Beige Leather Upholstered Two-Seat Sofa
Located in Astoria, NY
Nicoletti Beige Leather Upholstered Two-Seat Sofa, with labels to side and underside. 33" H x 78" W x 37" D; seat: 11" H. Provenance: A Sutton Place Collection.
Leather
$16,457Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.99 in W 143.71 in D 34.65 in
Heide Rolf Elegant Vintage Wood and Bouclé Sofa for ICF
By ICF Milano 1
Located in Milano, IT
Rare and beautiful 7-seater sofa designed in the 1960s by Heide Rolf for the fine ICF production. The sofa consists of 7 seats in total and a coffee table. The frame is entirely ma...
Bouclé, Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 68 in D 35 in L 30 in
Pair of French Brown Leather Chesterfield Two Seat Loveseat Sofas
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of French Chesterfield two seat loveseat sofas upholstered in vintage brown leather. This handsome pair features classic button tufting along the rolled arms and backs, with nai...
Leather
Vintage Chesterfield Two Seat Brown Leather Sofa from Spain
Located in Round Top, TX
20th century Spanish brown leather Chesterfield 2- seat sofa or loveseat. Classic Chesterfield form with rolled arms, tufted button back, and tufted lower front. Upholstered in brown...
Leather
Sold
H 30 in W 64 in D 34 in
Vintage 1970s Leather Chesterfield Loveseat Sofa Tufted Brown Leather Couch
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A timeless vintage 1970s Chesterfield loveseat, beautifully upholstered in rich brown leather with classic deep button tufting and generous rolled arms. This piece embodies the endur...
Leather
Sold
H 30.5 in W 71 in D 37 in
Fine Quality Custom Tufted Caramel Hued Chesterfield Sofa Settee 71 inches Long
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exceptional 71-inch English Chesterfield sofa is upholstered in a rich caramel-colored leather that exudes timeless sophistication. Crafted in the classic tradition, it features...
Leather, Hardwood
Vintage Leather Chesterfield Loveseat Sofa
Located in Southampton, NJ
Chestnut brown vintage leather Chesterfield loveseat with traditional tufted back and nailhead accents. The leather is perfectly patinated in classic, vintage condition with no tear...
Brass
Vintage Leather Chesterfield Loveseat Sofa
Located in Southampton, NJ
Chestnut brown vintage leather Chesterfield loveseat with traditional tufted back and nailhead accents. The leather is perfectly patinated in classic, slightly worn vintage conditio...
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 76.25 in D 38 in
Vintage Brown Leather Chesterfield Two Seat Sofa Loveseat, England Circa 1960-80
Located in Round Top, TX
The rich brown vintage leather captures your attention in this wonderful Chesterfield loveseat or "double chair." It has the traditional tufted buttoned back, rolled arms and nail he...
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century English Leather Chesterfield
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th Century English Leather Suede Chesterfield. Great Small Proportions , Excellent Condition with Nail head trim and very comfortable.
Leather
Sold
H 30 in W 60 in D 35 in
Oxblood Chesterfield Tufted Leather Love Seat Sofa -Great Britain Circa 1970
Located in Southampton, NJ
A stunning Chesterfield 2-seater sofa in oxblood leather having turned onyx mahogany cannonball feet by Action Furniture Ltd. Of Great Britain where t...
Brass
Classic Dark Navy Tufted Leather Loveseat with Brass Nailheads
By Taylor Chair co.
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic Chesterfield style tufted navy blue leather or leatherette loveseat having scrolled arms, straight mahogany legs and brass nailhead detailing. Great size and comfortable.
Faux Leather
Sold
H 62 in W 31.5 in D 26 in
Gold & White Stripe Silk Upholstery Tufted Sofa Loveseat Tassels Decorated MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Gold & White Stripe Silk Upholstery Tufted Sofa Loveseat Tassels Decorated MINT!
Silk
Vintage Style Classic Chesterfield Sofa - Vienna Brown Leather
Located in Westwood, NJ
A vintage style classic Chesterfield sofa in Vienna brown leather. This traditional English- style sofa features a button-tufted interior, ro...
Leather, Wood
Chesterfield Style Leather Loveseat by Hickory
Located in Pomona, CA
Chesterfield style burgundy color tufted leather loveseat.
Leather
European Mid Century Style Leather Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
A European Mid Century Modern style three-seat sofa with antique brown leather and a dark stained maple frame with out-flaring tapered legs. ...
Leather, Wood
Vintage Style Classic Chesterfield Sofa, Brown Leather
Located in Westwood, NJ
A vintage-style Classic English Chesterfield leather upholstered sofa, with top-grain leather in a vintage brown finish. With tufted backrest and rollover arms, with two padded cushi...
Leather