Rare Couch
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Iron
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Teak
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wool
Vintage 1960s Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fiberglass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Antique 1870s British Sofas
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Teak
Late 20th Century North American Sofa Tables
Linen, Lacquer
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Cotton, Fabric, Walnut
It has been reupholstered in a fine textured fabric.
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut
American Sofas
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s European Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Ash, Mahogany
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1930s Italian Sofas
Wood
Early 20th Century English Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Rosewood, Leather
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Antique 19th Century Italian Sofas
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Antique Early 1900s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Faux Leather, Teak
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Sofas
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
Vintage 1980s Swiss Post-Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Danish Sofas
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fiberglass
Early 20th Century Swedish Sofas
Sheepskin, Wood
Vintage 1960s European Sofas
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Iron
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1950s European Sofas
Sheepskin
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Sofas
Jacaranda, Mohair
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century English Sofa Tables
Vintage 1920s European Sofas
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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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