Rare Couch
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Canapes
Linen, Giltwood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Loveseats
Teak
Vintage 1980s American Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Linen, Wood
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
20th Century French Sofas
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1940s Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut, Wool
Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut, Velvet
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool, Upholstery, Teak
Vintage 1970s American Sofas
Oak, Wool
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Sofas
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1950s Danish Sofas
Teak, Upholstery
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Ivory, Upholstery
20th Century American Sofas
Wool, Silk, Wood
Vintage 1970s Swedish Sofas
Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1930s Danish Sofas
Wood, Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Rosewood
Vintage 1940s Danish Sofas
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Italian Sofas
Cotton
Vintage 1940s American Sofas
Wool, Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Sofas
Vintage 1960s Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Late 20th Century French Space Age Sofas
Leather
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Oak, Wool
Antique 1780s Swedish Neoclassical Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century English Regency Sofas
Cane, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Sofa Tables
Wood
Vintage 1950s Sofas
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1970s Danish Sofas
Rosewood, Leather
Early 2000s Sofas
Hide, Textile, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1960s Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Iron
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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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