Vintage Davenport Couch
20th Century American Mission Vintage Davenport Couch
Wicker, Oak
Recent Sales
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Davenport Couch
Wool, Foam, Hardwood
1930s Vintage Davenport Couch
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Davenport Couch
Beech
1930s Vintage Davenport Couch
Velvet, Upholstery
1930s Vintage Davenport Couch
Rosewood
1970s American Vintage Davenport Couch
Wood, Fabric, Down
20th Century American Vintage Davenport Couch
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 3, 2024The difference between a davenport and a couch comes down to special features. A couch or sofa is an upholstered piece of furniture designed to seat two or more people, while a davenport is a large couch or sofa that can be used as a bed or one that folds out into a bed.
A couch is occasionally called a davenport when the furnishing in question is a large comfortable sofa that can double as a bed or can be converted into a bed. The name comes from a now-defunct New England furniture manufacturer, A.H. Davenport & Company, which was established in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the late 19th century. Davenport furnished the homes of the richest Americans during what we now call the Gilded Age.
In the 1880s, thanks largely to the Industrial Revolution, the American economy started booming, and when it did, it created a whole new supply of millionaires. Firms like the Duveen Brothers supplied these families with European decor, and manufacturers such as A.H. Davenport & Company furnished their mansions. The term davenport became a synonym for any sofa that looked like the one produced by the popular Massachusetts company.
Find vintage sofas and sofa beds on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertApril 3, 2024A couch is occasionally called a davenport when the furnishing in question is a large comfortable sofa that can double as a bed or can be converted into a bed. The name comes from a now-defunct New England furniture manufacturer, A.H. Davenport & Company, which was established in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the late 19th century. Davenport furnished the homes of the richest Americans during what we now call the Gilded Age.
In the 1880s, thanks largely to the Industrial Revolution, the American economy started booming, and when it did, it created a whole new supply of millionaires. Firms like the Duveen Brothers supplied these families with European decor, and manufacturers such as A.H. Davenport & Company furnished their mansions. The term davenport became a synonym for any sofa that looked like the one produced by the popular Massachusetts company.
Find vintage sofas and sofa beds on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023To tell if a couch is vintage, examine its frame and cushions for tags, labels, and stamps that provide information about the maker. In some cases, the date of manufacturing may appear on these identifying markers. If not, research the manufacturer's name using trusted online resources to get an estimate of its age. Any couch that is 20 or more years old would be considered vintage. Sofas that are 100 years of age or older are antiques. Find a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary couches on 1stDibs.
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