Sofas
1880s American Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Upholstery
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1920s Austrian Vintage Sofas
Tapestry, Velvet, Braid
1850s European Hepplewhite Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Sofas
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Sofas
Metal
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
19th Century Italian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Sofas
Leather
Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Sofas
Bouclé, Oak
Early 20th Century American French Provincial Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Rattan, Wood
1880s French Edwardian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Sofas
Silk, Wood
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Sofas
Fabric
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Birch
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century European Aesthetic Movement Antique Sofas
Bentwood
1880s German Space Age Antique Sofas
Foam
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Walnut, Fabric
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Sofas
Leather, Oak
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Sofas
Silk, Wood
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Sofas
Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Baroque Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Antique Sofas
Giltwood
Early 1900s German Antique Sofas
Softwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Hardwood, Upholstery
19th Century English Country Antique Sofas
Linen, Wood
Early 20th Century Dutch Brutalist Sofas
Rope, Oak
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Sofas
Leather
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Sofas
Leather, Bentwood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Country Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Sofas
Wool, Wood
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Sofas
Rattan
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Régence Antique Sofas
Brass
19th Century Antique Sofas
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
1880s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Satinwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Charles X Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1850s French Régence Antique Sofas
Giltwood
1860s Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
Early 1900s European Chippendale Antique Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
1920s Dutch Expressionist Vintage Sofas
Pine
1860s English High Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
19th Century French Victorian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Sofas
Metal
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Sofas
Leather, Oak
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Sofas
Paint, Wood
Early 19th Century European Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
1870s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Leather
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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