Sculptural Sofa
Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Textile
Vintage 1960s American Sectional Sofas
Wood, Twill, Cotton
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Sheepskin, Birch
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Birch
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Settees
Vintage 1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Leather, Teak
Late 20th Century Italian Benches
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Suede
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage 1980s American Loveseats
Wood, Leather
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Settees
Leather, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Chinoiserie End Tables
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Settees
Oak, Leather, Fabric
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
20th Century American Sofas
Rattan
Vintage 1950s Italian Sofas
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1950s Italian Sofas
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Italian Sofas
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s Danish Sofas
Wood, Leather
Vintage 1980s North American Post-Modern Sofas
Velvet
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Iron
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wood, Oak, Fabric, Cotton
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Teak
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Teak
20th Century American Sofas
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Late 20th Century Sofas
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Modern Sofas
Foam, Wood
Mid-20th Century Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1980s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
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Sculptural Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Sculptural 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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