Antique Empire Sofa
19th Century American Antique Empire Sofa
Mahogany
19th Century American Antique Empire Sofa
19th Century Antique Empire Sofa
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Antique Empire Sofa
Upholstery, Linen
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Sofa
19th Century Austrian Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Birdseye Maple, Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
Ormolu
19th Century American Antique Empire Sofa
Mahogany
19th Century American Antique Empire Sofa
19th Century American Antique Empire Sofa
Leather, Wood
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
Mahogany
1860s French Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Brass
Early 20th Century American Antique Empire Sofa
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
19th Century American Antique Empire Sofa
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Sofa
Birch
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Sofa
Wood
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
1890s French Empire Revival Antique Empire Sofa
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian First Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Mahogany
Early 1800s Italian Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Walnut
1810s American American Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Empire Sofa
Wood
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Early 1900s French Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Silk, Wood
19th Century Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
Upholstery
19th Century American Antique Empire Sofa
Mahogany
19th Century Brazilian Antique Empire Sofa
Rosewood
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Sofa
Upholstery
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
1890s French Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Velvet, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Sofa
19th Century Brazilian Antique Empire Sofa
Rosewood, Mahogany
19th Century European Antique Empire Sofa
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
Walnut
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Empire Sofa
Birch
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
Bronze, Steel
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
Early 1900s European Empire Revival Antique Empire Sofa
Kingwood
19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Silk, Oak
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
Mahogany, Velvet, Upholstery
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Sofa
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Empire Sofa
Wood
Interior measures 64" x 26".
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Sofa
Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
Wood
19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa
Mahogany, Silk
19th Century Antique Empire Sofa
Wood, Leather
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Antique Empire Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Empire Sofa?
Finding the Right Sofas for You
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique 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. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. 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.
- What is an Empire sofa?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Empire movement in design started in the 19th century and is characterized by straight lines in rigid symmetrical compositions. Empire sofas, and furniture specifically, are part of the French neoclassical style. Shop a collection of Empire sofas from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022An Empire sofa is a type of sofa associated with the Empire style of art and architecture that came out of early 19th-century France. The designs of furniture in the Empire style were actually quite varied depending on the region which interpreted the design principles. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique Empire style sofas from some of the world’s top sellers.
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