Sofas
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Silk, Giltwood
Late 19th Century European Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Fabric
Early 20th Century Spanish Tibetan Sofas
Aluminum
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
1920s French Hollywood Regency Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
19th Century German Baroque Antique Sofas
Wood
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1890s Danish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1890s European Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1880s British Victorian Antique Sofas
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Sofas
Walnut
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Wool
19th Century English Chippendale Antique Sofas
Fabric
1910s Hungarian Vintage Sofas
Wood
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Sofas
Brass
Early 20th Century Chippendale Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Italian Charles X Antique Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
1840s Danish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
19th Century British Regency Antique Sofas
Brass
19th Century Antique Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century English Georgian Antique Sofas
Satinwood
Early 20th Century Sofas
Wood
1820s Italian Charles X Antique Sofas
Walnut
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
19th Century Turkestan Antique Sofas
Wool, Cotton
19th Century British Regency Antique Sofas
Brass
Late 19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
19th Century Spanish Modern Antique Sofas
Plastic
Early 20th Century English Country Sofas
Cotton, Wood
1890s Italian Rococo Antique Sofas
Leather, Foam, Wood
Early 20th Century Louis XV Sofas
Satin, Cotton
1820s American Empire Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 1900s Dutch Art Nouveau Antique Sofas
Fabric, Faux Leather, Wood
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
19th Century British Regency Antique Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century Louis XIV Antique Sofas
Mohair, Wood
1920s Central Asian Vintage Sofas
Linen, Wool
19th Century British Regency Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Sofas
Cherry
Early 20th Century Dutch Brutalist Sofas
Rope, Oak
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
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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