Corbeille Sofa
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Wood
2010s Sofas
Leather
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Giltwood
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Velvet
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Walnut
Recent Sales
Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XV Sofas
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Louis XV Sofas
Lead
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Sofas
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Early 20th Century Louis XVI Sofas
Vintage 1970s Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary English Louis XVI Settees
Giltwood, Wood
Antique Early 18th Century French Sofas
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Louis XVI Settees
Gesso, Wood
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Steel
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Linen, Wood
Antique 19th Century European Sofas
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Sofas
Silk
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Walnut
Antique 1860s French Louis XVI Sofas
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Wood
Antique 1790s French Louis XV Canapes
Silk, Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Canapes
Bouclé
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Cane, Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Canapes
Walnut
Antique Early 1900s Sofas
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Upholstery, Beech
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Sofas
Wood, Fabric, Feathers
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Sofas
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Wood
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1980s Italian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Side Chairs
Silk, Upholstery, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Belle Époque Figurative Sculptures
Marble
Antique Late 19th Century Belgian Louis XVI Fireplaces and Mantels
Belgian Black Marble
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Leather, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Carts and Bar Carts
Brass, Iron
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Cabinets
Ormolu
Early 1900s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Antique Early 18th Century French Baroque Western European Rugs
Silk, Wool
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Living Room Sets
Damask, Giltwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Renaissance Sterling Silver
Marble, Sterling Silver
2010s British Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Armchairs
Giltwood
Antique 1890s English Gothic Revival Historical Memorabilia
Vermeil
Corbeille Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Corbeille 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.
Read More
20 Inviting Dining Rooms Perfectly Arranged for Entertaining
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
Nobody Puts This Sunny Sofa in a Corner
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.