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.
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
$7,108 / 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
Early 19th Century English Tufted Brown Leather Loveseat
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning distressed brown leather tufted sofa. The sofa's design suggests a classic style that can be adapted to various decor trends.
Leather, Wood
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
$7,880 / 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
Lovely Petite Hollywood Regency Tufted Loveseat Sofa
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely petite Hollywood Regency tufted loveseat with a down filled lose seat cushion. This piece will definitely need to be re-upholstered but that's what yo...
Upholstery, Wood
Fuyu Armless Chair, Loveseat
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
With its unique design, FUYU armchair brings together the wide seating and naturalness that you cannot find in other single sofas… Measures: Length: 47.2'' / Depth: 53.2'' / Height: 35.4'' / Seat Height: 17.7'' Weight: 41.6 kg -Spring upholstery -32 DNS HR Foam -1st grade alder frame. UPHOLSTERED PRODUCT USE AND CARE Dry clean your product and refer to the sales form for special care instructions. Call us for re-upholstery of your product. When choosing your fabric, submit your flammability certificate request. Avoid using upholstery...
Fabric, Bouclé, Cotton, Upholstery, Foam, Hardwood
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
Louis XVI Style Black Leather Settee Sofa
Located in North York, ON
Louis XVI style black leather settee sofa. Luxuriously carved frame, made in Italy, in iconic Louis XVI style design. Finished in a rich medium w...
Metal
$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
Florence Knoll 2-Seater Sofa, Classic Mid Century Modern, Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Florence Knoll 2 seater 'lounge series' sofa with original 2nd generation upholstery in a coarse woven off-white mottled wool fabric. This sofa d...
Chrome
Vintage Line Roset "Cinna" Two Seat Sofa From France, Circa 1960
Located in Nashville, TN
Vintage Line Roset "Cinna" Two Seat Sofa From France, Circa 1960. We don't have the time to write an extensive description on each of our pieces. We pref...
Upholstery
Gerard van den Berg Natural Leather High Back Loveseat with Tufting
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very unusual Gerard van den Berg natural leather high back loveseat with light tufting details throughout the piece creating a subtle pattern. The expression of this piece is in it's...
Leather
Two Seater Togo Sofa in Yellow Leather by Ligne Roset, 1980s France
By Ligne Roset
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic French two seater Togo sofa by Michel Ducaroy for luxury brand Ligne Roset. Originally designed in the 1970s the iconic togo sofa is now a design...
Leather
$2,600
H 30 in W 59 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Danish Modern Beautiful Dark Red Leather loveseat Sofa Birch Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern beautiful dark Red leather loveseat sofa birch legs. Designed by Mogens Hansen. Beautiful Dark Red leather is soft and s...
Leather, Birch
1980s Poltrona Frau White Leather Sofa
Located in High Point, NC
A 1980s white leather sofa from Italian furniture makers Poltrona Frau. The brilliant white of the leather brings a crisp polish to the deep-seated...
Leather
Pair of Tufted Loveseats
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of recently reupholstered glamorous Hollywood deco tufted loveseats This stylish pair has a tufted, tight back and rolled arms with an inset panel with two-seat cushions. The lo...
Upholstery
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
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