Sofa Scrolling Arms
Late 20th Century Sofas
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century French Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Chippendale Sofas
Textile, Velvet, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1820s Scandinavian Biedermeier Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Sofas
20th Century British Settees
Leather
Antique 1820s Dutch Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Settees
Wood
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Settees
Damask, Walnut
Early 20th Century English Victorian Settees
Leather, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Living Room Sets
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Sofas
Linen, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1930s Brazilian Art Deco Sofas
Cane, Rosewood
Antique 18th Century Italian Sofas
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century British Chippendale Sofas
Mahogany, Fabric, Upholstery
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Sofas
Leather
20th Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Down
Antique 1760s English Chippendale Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1940s American Empire Sofas
Textile, Faux Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Antique 1830s Swedish Karl Johan Sofas
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Sofas
Leather, Wood
20th Century British Sofas
Fabric
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Loveseats
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Chippendale Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany, Satinwood
Vintage 1940s American Sofas
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
20th Century English Sofas
Wood, Cotton, Upholstery
Vintage 1940s English Sofas
20th Century English Sofas
Metal
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Sofas
Mahogany, Beech
Antique 1820s Irish Regency Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Linen
Early 20th Century English Sofas
Mid-20th Century Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century British Chippendale Sofas
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Italian Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century British Sofas
Mahogany
Vintage 1910s English Chippendale Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Sofas
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Velvet
Antique 19th Century American Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 1890s American Sofas
Giltwood, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Queen Anne Sofas
Velvet
Antique 19th Century Sofas
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Sofas
Walnut, Mohair
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Sofas
Mohair, Walnut
Antique 1830s English William IV Sofas
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Sofa Scrolling Arms For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Sofa Scrolling Arms?
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.
- What is a shelter arm sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A shelter arm sofa is a type of sofa wherein the sheltering arm bends outward from the sofa and has a gently sloping curve to it. Shelter arm sofas are generally praised for their comfort since they tend to cradle the person sitting. Find a wide variety of shelter arm sofas on 1stDibs.
- What is a drop arm sofa for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A drop-arm sofa is designed to save space by converting into a comfortable single bed when the arms are dropped. The next morning, returning the arms to their original position turns the bed back into a sofa. Shop a collection of drop arm sofas from sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a Knole drop-arm sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A Knole drop-arm sofa is a settee developed during the 17th century. It usually has a rectangle back with a decorative wood trim and tall fully upholstered arms positioned at a diagonal. Originally, the sofa served as a royal seat for monarchs. You'll find a variety of Knole sofas on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022An English roll arm sofa is a style of sofa that is recognizable by its deep seat, tight untufted back and rolled arms. You can shop a collection of English roll arm sofas from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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