Sofas
1890s Scandinavian Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
1890s French Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Brass
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
19th Century English Country Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Brass, Steel, Iron
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Silk, Wood
Mid-19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany, Wood
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Sofas
Fabric
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Velvet, Wood
19th Century Swedish Dutch Colonial Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Fabric, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Giltwood
19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Bouclé, Beech, Walnut, Softwood
Early 19th Century British George IV Antique Sofas
Calico
19th Century Georgian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Cherry, Burl
1820s American American Classical Antique Sofas
Mohair, Wood
1880s Italian Antique Sofas
Iron
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century British Edwardian Antique Sofas
Leather
19th Century English Chippendale Antique Sofas
Fabric
Mid-19th Century British Chesterfield Antique Sofas
Leather
Early 19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Wood, Walnut
1850s European Hepplewhite Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Sofas
Silk, Wood
1810s French Empire Antique Sofas
Cherry
19th Century Danish Rococo Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1890s European Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-19th Century Baltic Empire Antique Sofas
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Walnut, Fabric
19th Century Antique Sofas
Marble, Brass
Early 1800s Italian Antique Sofas
Cord, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Sofas
Metal
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
19th Century French Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
1820s Jamaican British Colonial Antique Sofas
Muslin, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Italian Directoire Antique Sofas
Cherry
19th Century Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
1880s French Louis XIV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Textile, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Swedish Antique Sofas
Pine
Late 19th Century British Chesterfield Antique Sofas
Leather
1840s French Charles X Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
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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