Scrolled Sofa
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Empire Sofas
Damask, Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s French Napoleon III Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century English Regency Sofas
Silk, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Late Victorian Sofas
Wool, Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Early Victorian Sofas
Cotton, Beech, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century English George II Sofas
Cotton Canvas
Antique 1880s English Louis XV Sofas
Silk, Giltwood
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Canapes
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Canapes
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 18th Century French Rococo Canapes
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s American Sofas
Upholstery
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Sofas
Brass
Mid-20th Century Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Antique 1820s English Regency Sofas
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Sofas
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 1830s English Regency Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 1830s Regency Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s Georgian Sofas
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Provincial Sofas
Cotton, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Early 2000s English Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Beech
Antique Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Sofas
Birch
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Sofas
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century Sofas
20th Century Sofas
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary British Tribal Sofas
Brass
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Sofas
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary English Sofas
Mohair
Antique 1830s Regency Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Textile, Wood
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Wood
Late 20th Century American Sofas
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Late 20th Century American Sofas
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Vintage 1930s Sofas
Rattan
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1820s Dutch Sofas
Mahogany, Satinwood, Tulipwood
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
20th Century English Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Wood
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
Antique 19th Century Empire Sofas
Mohair, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Philippine Sofas
Rattan
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofas
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Regency Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Regency Sofas
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Scrolled Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Scrolled 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.
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