Sofas
Late 19th Century Austrian Other Antique Sofas
Antler
1970s Swiss Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Sofas
Mohair, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Textile, Rosewood
1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Oak
2010s Italian Sofas
Wood
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Beech
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Upholstery, Teak
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Rosewood, Upholstery
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Ash
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
Mid-20th Century Sofas
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Ash
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century British Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Rattan
2010s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Chenille
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Organic Modern Sofas
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Sofas
Velvet
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1990s German Post-Modern Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Rustic Sofas
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century British Sofas
Leather
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Beech
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile
1930s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s American Modern Sofas
Maple
2010s American Modern Sofas
Cotton, Maple
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Bronze
1990s Haitian Organic Modern Sofas
Cane, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fur, Sheepskin
1960s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Linen, Teak
Early 2000s Sofas
Upholstery
1660s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Bouclé
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
2010s Mexican Sofas
Brass
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Early 20th Century Louis XV Sofas
Satin, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Bamboo, Cane
2010s American Sofas
Leather, Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Burl
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
1930s American Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Rattan
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Foam
Shop Unique Sofas on 1stDibs: Find Mario Bellini Sofas, Togo Sofas, Vladimir Kagan Sofas and Other Seating for Sale
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique 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. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. 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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