The expansion of the British Empire brought Chesterfield sofas around the world, such as in Canada, where the word “chesterfield” refers to any type of sofa. Antique Chesterfield-style furniture now includes seating in a range of sizes and aesthetics, from velvet love seats and linen-upholstered club chairs to ottomans accompanying classic leather sofas.
Popular lore dates the Chesterfield sofa to Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth earl of Chesterfield. The arbiter of taste and manners in 18th-century England was best known for publishing guides on how to behave in society to attain success. The story goes that he commissioned a sofa in the mid-1700s designed so he could sit on it while not wrinkling his clothes. He later bequeathed it to his godson, and the seating style spread in popularity, eventually becoming an icon of British interior design.
Although this origin is not recorded, it resonates with the iconic sofa’s urbane sophistication. Traditionally made with tall rolled arms the same height as the back, deep buttoning on dark brown leather upholstery, tacked trim and an imposing yet elegant profile, it evokes English estates and the gentlemen’s clubs of London. It became a staple amid the Victorian era’s embrace of comfort. Tartan versions were in Queen Victoria’s drawing room at Balmoral Castle, giving the space a Scottish flair.
Some Chesterfield sofas are slimmed down in shape, others have taller legs for a lighter appearance. And while leather Chesterfield sofas are a more common variant — and can easily elevate a workspace as luxury office furniture — a velvet Chesterfield sofa possesses a singular chameleonic property, softening and emboldening the spaces it inhabits. Whether it’s the focal point of a living room, hotel lobby or trendy restaurant, the Chesterfield remains a status symbol, channeling the sophisticated tastes of its namesake.
Find a collection of antique Chesterfield seating, including sofas, settees, armchairs and lounge chairs, on 1stDibs.
Huge Original Green Chesterfield Hand Dyed Green Leather Footstool
Located in Berlin, DE
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original, large, Chesterfield green leather footstool A very good looking collectable and rare stool, depending on your seating arra...
Leather
THREE VINTAGE OXBLOOD LEATHER CHESTERFIELD TUFTED KITCHEN DINER BAR STOOLs
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of three stunning lightly restored hand dyed oxblood leather, kitchen bar stools Please n...
Leather, Wood
THREE VINTAGE GREEN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD TUFTED KITCHEN DINER BAR STOOLs
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of three stunning lightly restored hand dyed Green leather, kitchen bar stools Please not...
Leather, Wood
2 Beautiful Chesterfield Stools in Beige Leather Oval Shape
Located in Berlin, DE
2 beautiful Chesterfield stools in beige leather oval shape. Made in Italy.
Leather
$1,728Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Carved Walnut Leather Chesterfield Library Stool
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A 19th century carved walnut leather chesterfield library stool. The stool is upholstered in deeply buttoned brown leather hide, it set on hefty ball ...
Walnut
Modern Leather and Steel Sling Stool or Bench
Located in East Hampton, NY
Great looking modern polished steel and leather sling stool or bench.
Steel
Pair of Modern Tufted Leather X Frame Stools
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern tufted leather X frame stool, classic meets contemporary with this versatile piece. The top boxed cushion is crafted in rich brown leather accented with button tufting, it s...
Metal
19th Century French Walnut Stool
Located in High Point, NC
19th century walnut stool from France with a wonderfully thick top which has a handle design cutout of the top and a multi-level beveled edge, following down to a lovely hand scallop...
Walnut
$2,600 / set
H 32.75 in W 17.5 in D 19.5 in
Pair of Charlotte Perriand Style Bar Stools /Kitchen Stools
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in Westport, CT
Pair Italian Charlotte Perriand style chrome tubular, Z shaped Bar stool blue Naugahyde.
Chrome
19th Century English Oak Carved Joint Stool
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak joint stool from England. The top has a beveled edge, following down to a hand carved decorated and scalloped apron. The stool is supported on hand turned and sp...
Oak
19th Century Carved Mahogany George II Stool
Located in London, by appointment only
Nicholas Wells antiques is pleased to present for sale a 19th century stool with bold carved details and ornament around the apron consisting of acanthu...
Mahogany
Set of Three Vintage Modern Swivel Bar Stools
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish retro set of vintage modern bar stools feature vinyl swivel seats, sturdy metal frames, and circular metal footrest. Perfect set...
Chrome
$2,865Sale Price / item|25% Off
H 34.6 in W 24.8 in D 16.9 in
Organic Kitchen Counter Bar Stool w. Backrest Brass Metal & Cognac Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary counter stool with backrest is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm is complemented by the flexibility...
Steel
19th Century Oriental Carved Wood Stool
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderfully stylish 19th century Oriental style stool, with pierced fretwork decoration to the frieze, stuff over upholstered seat, raised on classical carved cabriole legs with my...
Mahogany
$3,875
H 30 in W 88 in D 30 in
Vintage English Chesterfield Leather Tufted Sofa Oxblood Red Mid Century
Located in Tyler, TX
TIMELESS Vintage English Leather Tufted Seat CHESTERFIELD 4-Seat Sofa Oxblood Red PERFECT ICONIC look for a gentleman's office, study, library, or cigar lounge~~upholstery is "oxblo...
Leather
Set of Three Vintage Italian Bar Stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a great set of vintage Italian bar stools in great condition. Very solid and well made.
Steel
$1,500
H 19.5 in Dm 15.5 in
19th Century French Louis XV Carved Walnut and Leather Adjustable Piano Stool
Located in Dallas, TX
This carved antique fruitwood stool was created in Provence, France circa 1880. Standing on cabriole legs ending with escargot feet, the piano seating is decorated with floral motifs...
Walnut, Leather
PAIR OF BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFiELD BAR STOOLS J1
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London We are delighted to offer for sale this Lovely Pair Of Brown Leather Chesterfield Bar Stools. A pair of brown leather Chesterfield bar stools exudes a classic...
Leather
Leather Chesterfield Long Hearth Stool or Window Seat
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Leather Chesterfield Long Hearth Stool or Window Seat This delightful piece is upholstered in brown leather, the leather is very thick heavy quality and is very soft and pliable, i...
Leather
SET OF FOUR BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFiELD BAR STOOLS J1
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London We are delighted to offer for sale this Lovely Set of Four Leather Chesterfield Bar Stools. A set of four brown leather Chesterfield bar stools offers a stylis...
Leather
Sold
H 19.3 in W 28.94 in D 16.54 in
Pair of Restored Chesterfield Brown Leather Bench Footstool or Normal Stools
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of fully restored hand dyed cigar brown leather chesterfield hearth ottoman footstools or small bench stools...
Leather
Sold
H 18.9 in W 48.63 in D 28.94 in
1 of 2 George Smith Restored Brown Leather Chesterfield Hearth Footstools
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer 1 of 2 fully restored very large hand dyed cigar brown leather Chesterfield buttoned George Smith hearth footstools This is for one stool with the option t...
Leather
Sold
H 17.13 in W 25.2 in D 18.9 in
Pair of Fully Restored Chesterfield Hand Dyed Whisky Brown Leather Footstools
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this sublime pair of vintage fully restored Whisky Brown leather Chesterfield footstools A very good look...
Leather, Beech
Sold
H 18.51 in W 28.15 in D 16.15 in
Restored Chesterfield Hardwood Framed Cigar Brown Leather Piano Bench Stool
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
This sale is for a stunning late 20th century, fully restored Chesterfield Piano stool or single bench seat in cigar brown leather A very g...
Leather
Sold
H 41.54 in W 16.93 in D 17.33 in
Five Harrods London Fully Restored Chesterfield Brown Leather Bar Kitchen Stools
By Chesterfield, Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this sublime pair of Harrods London fully restored whisky brown leather Chesterfield button bar stools A very rare vintage suite of five Harrods bar stoo...
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century Original English Chesterfield Leather Stool
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic, fantastic line in detail make this furniture simply unique. The Chesterfield stool is covered with genuine, finest leather. The leather is of the best quality, very easy to ...
Leather
Sold
H 18.9 in W 42.52 in D 25.99 in
Stunning Fully Restored Hand Dyed Whiskey Brown Leather Chesterfield Footstool
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning hand made and fully restored Whiskey brown leather...
Leather
Sold
H 18.12 in W 51.19 in D 21.26 in
Curved Regency Restored Walnut and Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Bench Stool
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Regency curved frame solid walnut hand dyed brown leather bench stool An absolutely stunning find, designed to sit in a b...
Leather, Walnut
Deeply Buttoned Chesterfield Tan Leather Library Stool
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Deeply Buttoned Chesterfield tan leather library stool This is good sturdy library stool it has sturdy reeded mahogany legs with a cross stretcher T...
Leather