Sofas
19th Century Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Charles X Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century Antique Sofas
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Sofas
Leather, Velvet, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century Irish George III Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1860s Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Sofas
Teak
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Pine
1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Walnut
19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Silk, Walnut
19th Century European Aesthetic Movement Antique Sofas
Ebony, Walnut
1810s Federal Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Silk, Giltwood
1830s Federal Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Anglo-Japanese Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Empire Antique Sofas
Wood, Burl
1840s Italian Louis Philippe Antique Sofas
Walnut
19th Century Antique Sofas
Beech
19th Century British Victorian Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Linen, Wood, Paint
1870s English Victorian Antique Sofas
Walnut
Late 19th Century Hungarian Baroque Antique Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century Georgian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century British Empire Antique Sofas
Velvet, Ebony
1890s Norwegian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Paint
1870s Swedish Louis XV Antique Sofas
Walnut
1890s Danish Other Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1890s British Chesterfield Antique Sofas
Leather
1870s British Chesterfield Antique Sofas
Leather
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Sofas
Gold, Gold Leaf
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Bronze
1860s British Chesterfield Antique Sofas
Leather
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Oak
1880s French Louis XIV Antique Sofas
Textile, Wood, Giltwood, Upholstery
1870s British Chesterfield Antique Sofas
Leather
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
19th Century English Antique Sofas
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Early 1900s Hungarian Biedermeier Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Sofas
Leather, Wood
1880s Antique Sofas
Wood
1810s English Regency Antique Sofas
Leather, Walnut
1870s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Sofas
Metal
Early 19th Century American American Classical Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Sofas
Kingwood
1820s English Sheraton Antique Sofas
Brass
1820s American American Empire Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
19th Century English Georgian Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery
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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