Sofas
19th Century Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1890s American Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Mohair
19th Century Antique Sofas
Wood
1880s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Brass
19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut, Organic Material
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Sofas
Calico, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Sofas
Linen, Walnut
1830s Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Unknown French Provincial Antique Sofas
Velvet, Wood
19th Century Antique Sofas
Linen, Pine, Paint
Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Sofas
Pine
Mid-19th Century Sicilian Charles X Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century Antique Sofas
Silk, Wood
1860s French Empire Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Lacquer, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
1830s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Tapestry, Giltwood
1820s Czech Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Lacquer, Cherry, Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
Late 19th Century Swedish Empire Revival Antique Sofas
Birch
1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Walnut
1910s Vintage Sofas
Brass
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Velvet
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine, Paint
1840s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Velvet
Early 19th Century Irish George III Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1830s French Restauration Antique Sofas
Fabric, Nutwood
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Wood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Cherry
1850s Belgian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Sofas
Leather, Bentwood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1860s Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
19th Century Antique Sofas
Fabric, Linen
1890s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Sofas
Upholstery
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Sofas
Metal
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Velvet
19th Century Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century Antique Sofas
Upholstery
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
19th Century Neoclassical Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Sofas
Metal
1850s Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
1890s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
1910s Indian Vintage Sofas
Cotton
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Sofas
Velvet, Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Shop Unique Sofas on 1stDibs
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique, new or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.
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