Rare Couch
Vintage 1950s Sofas
Metal
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood, Oak, Fabric, Linen, Elm
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Canapes
Leather, Jacaranda
Vintage 1960s German Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Early 20th Century French Sofas
Linen, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Sofas
Enamel
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Leather
Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofa Tables
Pewter
Vintage 1980s American Bohemian Sofas
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Oak
Mid-20th Century North American Sofas
Rattan
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal, Brass
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Sofas
Brocade, Beech
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Early 20th Century Swedish Sofas
Fur, Pine
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fiberglass
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Oak
Vintage 1950s Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Beech
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric, Faux Leather, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Vintage 1950s German Sofas
Nutwood
Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
1990s Italian Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Textile, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Swedish Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1950s Brutalist Sofas
Chrome
20th Century Post-Modern Sofas
Mohair, Lucite
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Mahogany
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rosewood, Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Cane, Teak
20th Century American Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Cane, Oak, Teak
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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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