Early Sofas

During the late 18th century, both Thomas Chippendale and Robert Adam produced gilded sofas that were strongly influenced by the contemporary French Neoclassical-style canapé’. These masterpieces have a padded oval back, padded arms and seat in contemporary Aubusson tapestry, and can be worth tens of thousands of pounds. Good 19thC and 2oth-century copies themselves fetch £1500£2200, while lesser examples may change hands for £300-£500. The canapé proved an enduring design in Britain, and was produced throughout the 19th century.

Following on from delicate Regency designs came heavy scroll-end sofas during the reign of William IV (183o-37). These also show continental influence, this time of the Biedermeier style from central Europe. However, both Regency and William IV scroll- end sofas are relatively unpopular, the former because, although elegant, they are not practical, and the latter because they are uncomfortable and too large. Plain examples can change hands for as little as £400-£600.

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Victorian Innovations

The chaise longue was first seen during the Regency period, but was particularly popular with the Victorians. It developed from the scroll-end sofa, and is in fact a scroll-end day bed with a fixed back. In its most typical form it has a carved frame in walnut or mahogany decorated with flowers and foliage, but there is great variation in quality of construction and design. Chaises longues are currently out of fashion, and only outstanding examples ake as much as £300-£.12.00; more ordinary pieces will usually go for about £400-£.600.

Over the past few years, interest has increased in the bergère suites of the 1920s. Sofas from these distinctive suites have a low seat fully enclosed by a twin-panelled back and outscrolled arms, and six short legs. They are more valuable with their accompanying armchairs, but a well decorated, parcel gilt black lacquer example can make £1500£2000, and a plain version £250-£400.

One of the most elaborate and valuable Victorian sofa designs is the ottoman or borne — a circular, upholstered sofa with a central backrest. The base is generally divided into three, four or more seats. Borneo were

Designed primarily for hotel foyers, and later examples often have a jardiniere (plant pot) at the top of the central rest. Many were designed as an eyecatching centrepiece and have tasselled velvet upholstery or an ornately carved frame made of walnut or mahogany. Depending on its design, a small borne with its original upholstery can make £2000£3000, a large example considerably more.

The ‘confidante’ or conversation seat is a sofa with an S-shaped top rail, allowing two people to sit together but facing in opposite directions. A good Victorian or Edwardian example sells for £600-£900. A mechanical variant, the ’sociable’, has swivelling seats, allowing the occupants to face in any direction they choose. These are quite rare, and a good example could fetch up to £3500.

 

Drop-arm Designs

During the 19th century numerous patents were taken out on many pieces of adjustable and convertible furniture. Among the best known and most desirable is the Knole sofa. It is named after the earliest surviving example, found at Knole in Kent. Such sofas were first made in the early 17th century and have an upright back and high, hinged arms which can be reclined by means of a ratchet mechanism. Some later examples are hinged and supported by braided cords. It is one of the most collectable fully upholstered sofas. Good Victorian copies fetch as much as £2000£3000, while examples from the 1930s and 50s go for sums in the region of £250-£700.

A very elaborate, cast-iron ratchet mechanism was also fitted onto one of the most popular Victorian designs, the Chesterfield. In many ways, the Chesterfield epitomises Victorian furniture design as it incorporates another important 19th-century innovation, spring upholstery, which afforded new levels of comfort, but not necessarily elegance.

A fine Victorian example with drop ends and good, original leather upholstery fetches £3000-£5000, and a plain, re-upholstered example £500-£300. One needing to be completely re-upholstered (a very expensive job) will fetch only Ed 00-£200. Chesterfields with fixed arms generally cost around ten per cent less than drop-end equivalents.

The Victorian adjustable day bed, or couch, often has its seat divided into three fully adjustable cushions, with a movable headrest and arm supports. Made by various manufacturers, and often patented, these are modestly priced, fetching £5 00-£800.

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