High Backed Sofas
Antique Late 19th Century French Sofas
Linen, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Bouclé, Ash
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Teak
Late 20th Century Philippine Bohemian Sofas
Reed
21st Century and Contemporary French Organic Modern Sofas
Fabric
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Organic Modern Sofas
Fabric
Early 2000s German Post-Modern Sofas
Metal, Steel
2010s Finnish Sofas
Fabric
Early 2000s German Post-Modern Sofas
Metal, Steel
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Beech
20th Century Hollywood Regency Sofas
Wood
2010s Finnish Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1930s French Sofas
Bamboo, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Other
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s Sofas
Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Chesterfield Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century North American Regency Sofas
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Sofas
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Oak
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Wood
Early 2000s Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Sofas
Cane
Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Sofas
Fabric, Beech
Antique Late 19th Century English Sofas
Linen, Down, Walnut
Vintage 1920s French French Provincial Sofas
Fabric, Oak
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
1990s Norwegian Modern Sofas
Leather, Teak
2010s French Sofas
Fabric
Late 20th Century Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century English Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1960s Sofas
Silk, Walnut
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Textile, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary British Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Aluminum
2010s British George III Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Sofas
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Aluminum
2010s Italian Modern Sofas
Other
1990s North American Sofas
Upholstery
2010s English Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
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High Backed Sofas For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are High Backed Sofas?
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.
- How high should a sofa table be?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019
A sofa table, or a console, should be the same height as the sofa in front of it.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A high back office chair has a tall backrest to provide support to both your back and neck. It helps minimize the risk of chronic neck and back problems. These chairs also come with wheels attached for ease of mobility. Shop a range of antique and vintage high back office chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a split back sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A split back sofa is a sofa which features a back that is made up of two separate panels. These panels can be reclined and adjusted separately from one another, allowing for customizable comfort. On 1stDibs, find a range of split back sofas.
- What is a Bow back sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bow back sofa is a sofa which has a back that bows upward, forming a graceful curve that peaks at the center of the bench and tapers down to the arms. Chairs can also have a bow back design. Browse a collection of bow back furniture from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a curved back sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Curved back sofas are also known as conversation sofas or crescent sofas. Curved sofas are highly coveted as comfortable seating as well as for being a unique seating option. Shop a wide selection of curved back sofas on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023High-backed old-fashioned chairs are often called wingback chairs. They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s. Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace. Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique, vintage and modern wingback chairs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
Read More
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