Sofas
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Napoleon III Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Early 19th Century Empire Antique Sofas
Wood, Burl
Mid-19th Century British Empire Antique Sofas
Velvet, Ebony
19th Century Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Brocade, Beech
19th Century Empire Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Brass
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Sofas
Bronze
19th Century Empire Antique Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Mahogany
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery
1950s American Empire Vintage Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Wood
1860s French Empire Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Lacquer, Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Velvet
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Velvet
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Wood
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Velvet
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Dutch Empire Antique Sofas
Cotton, Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
1820s American Empire Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s Empire Vintage Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century European Empire Sofas
Wood
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Brass, Steel, Iron
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany, Wood
1810s French Empire Antique Sofas
Cherry
1890s European Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-19th Century Baltic Empire Antique Sofas
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1950s Belgian Empire Vintage Sofas
Wood, Fabric
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Fabric
Late 19th Century European Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Brocade, Beech
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Wool
20th Century French Empire Sofas
Beech
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Silk, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Bronze
19th Century Empire Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany
1880s Italian Empire Antique Sofas
Brass
1960s French Napoleon III Vintage Sofas
Fabric
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
1950s American Empire Vintage Sofas
Mahogany
Early 1800s Swedish Empire Antique Sofas
Birch
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Sofas
Fabric
20th Century French Empire Sofas
Beech
20th Century French Empire Sofas
Beech
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Sofas
Mahogany
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.