Sofas
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Silk, Wood
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century British Georgian Antique Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
1880s French Edwardian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Wood
18th Century French Rococo Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1890s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Mirror, Wood
19th Century American Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Rosewood
1860s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Sofas
Beech
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1820s Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Sofas
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Pearlware, Upholstery
19th Century Dutch Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
18th Century and Earlier American American Classical Antique Sofas
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1890s Scandinavian Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Velvet, Oak
18th Century American Hepplewhite Antique Sofas
Mahogany, Fabric, Upholstery
Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Antique Sofas
Beech, Bentwood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
1890s English Georgian Antique Sofas
Damask, Cane, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Velvet, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Sofas
Fabric
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Giltwood
Late 18th Century Hepplewhite Antique Sofas
Mahogany, Down
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Scottish Gothic Revival Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
1880s English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
1810s English Regency Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Sofas
Fabric
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Walnut
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Damask, Giltwood
Early 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century English Georgian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Linen, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Sofas
Wood
Early 19th Century Irish George III Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 19th Century British Chesterfield Antique Sofas
Leather
Mid-18th Century French Antique Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century Antique Sofas
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
19th Century British Antique Sofas
Walnut
1770s English George III Antique Sofas
Brass
1760s English George III Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1870s Swedish Baroque Revival Antique Sofas
Walnut
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Cherry
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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