English Roll Sofa
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sofas
Fabric
1990s Sofas
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Aesthetic Movement Sofas
Jacquard, Velvet
Vintage 1960s English Sofas
Upholstery
1990s American Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Beads
2010s North American Modern Sofas
Linen, Wood, Down
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Linen, Velvet
Vintage 1970s English Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Danish Sofas
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Edwardian Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Pillows and Throws
Linen, Velvet
Early 20th Century Chippendale Settees
Upholstery, Mahogany, Down
2010s Danish Chaise Longues
Textile
2010s Danish Lounge Chairs
Textile
2010s American Modern Sofas
Leather, Upholstery, Foam, Polyester, Wood, Lacquer
Early 2000s North American Other Sofas
Velvet, Foam, Wood
20th Century Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Sofas
Fabric
20th Century American Modern Sofas
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Velvet, Down, Feathers
20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Linen, Foam, Down
20th Century American Sofas
Fabric
20th Century Sofas
Fabric
20th Century Kilim Sofas
Fabric, Hardwood, Down
Vintage 1930s English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Antique 19th Century English Sofas
Brass
20th Century English Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1940s English Sofas
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century English Victorian Loveseats
Leather
Late 20th Century English Georgian Loveseats
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Velvet, Linen
2010s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Sofas
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary North American Sofas
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Sofas
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary North American Sofas
Linen
Vintage 1930s English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century English Sofas
Linen, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Pillows and Throws
Linen, Velvet
Mid-20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
Late 20th Century English Sofas
20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Wood
20th Century English Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
Linen
1990s English Sofas
Early 2000s American Club Chairs
Linen
20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Wood
English Roll Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an English Roll 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.
- 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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