Rare Couch
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1970s Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Teak
Vintage 1930s American Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1950s Czech Modern Sofas
Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1930s Sofas
Lacquer
20th Century Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1950s French Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofa Tables
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Dutch Modern Sofas
Metal
20th Century Swedish Sofas
Teak
20th Century Danish Sofas
Teak
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome, Iron
Vintage 1970s French Sofas
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Cane, Oak
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1950s Sofas
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Beech
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Felt, Birch
Vintage 1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Birch
Vintage 1970s French Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Teak
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1950s Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Sofas
Teak
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wool, Walnut
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Rare Couch For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Rare Couch?
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.
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