Sofas
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sofas
Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Steel
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
19th Century Danish Baroque Antique Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Teak
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Silk, Velvet, Wood, Trimming
20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Mohair
2010s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Sofas
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Sofas
Bouclé
2010s Portuguese Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather, Teak
2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Suede, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century South American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Iron
20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
1920s American Neoclassical Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s Italian Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Foam, Wood, Fir, Plywood
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Felt, Beech
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Teak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Velvet
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
1940s Danish Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Mohair, Oak
20th Century Biedermeier Sofas
Mahogany
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Beech
2010s Italian Sofas
Textile, Velvet, Wood
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Wool
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s Italian Sofas
Velvet, Foam
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Sofas
Walnut
1980s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Leather
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Bouclé, Beech
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool, Oak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sofas
Wool
1970s European Vintage Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
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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Who Is Mario Bellini, and Why Is His 1970s Camaleonda Sofa Everywhere Right Now?
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