SETTLES  and similar furniture
The earliest settles were probably fixed close to the fire-place as a piece of built-in furniture. They were high and box-like to exclude draughts. By the end of the seventeenth century the settle was a popular piece of furniture and it was made throughout the eighteenth century and into the nineteenth century, particularly in country districts. Dating is thus only approximate, as with other country furniture. Prices vary fairly widely as this is very much a specialist market.
A very fine North Country settle. Good vigorous carving on the back, the lines of lunettes on the top rail are highly accomplished. Note the side pieces on the ends  rather like wainscot chairs. Moulded seat rail and good bobbin turns. A very desirable piece and not expensive, despite its high quality, as settles are not in great demand. 1670-1680
A good quality piece showing real wear on the front rail. It has curved terminations at the top of the side rails which suggest North Country design and bobbin turnings on the legs and baluster supports to the arms which give the date. The additional back legs are sensible later additions. A box seat is dearer.
Late 17th century
Much more modest and indeed typical example of a well-made seventeenth century panelled settle. Bobbin turned supports to the arms and the less usual lift-up seat. This is one of those pieces that look old.
A simple three panelled back eighteenth century example with rather thin arms and thick seat rail.
Late 18th century
Oak box seat sette England and Wales  with simple panelled back.
Mid-18th century
A box seat table settle. Pegs at either end enable the table to swing back and form the back of the settle. There are two lids to the box underneath. The sledge feet point to a Welsh origin. Although the table is inconvenient to use, such settles have been seen at nearly twice the prices quoted below, which is rather too much for the workmanship involved.
Late 17th century
Elm bacon settee. Welsh. The box seat has two drawers beneath, while the back, stepped out at the top, contains cupboards in which to hang bacon. Found in oak, ash, elm and pine.
Early 19th century
Bacon settee in elm. The lack of stops at the back of the drawers has broken off the projecting ovolo moulding on two of the drawers. c. 1740
A settle in mahogany with well-panelled back and Sheraton decorative inlay. Something of a mixture but typical of how country designs persist and adopt new decoration, and the result of a long-lived design. Still to be seen in old pubs. 1780-1790
Welsh pine box settle with sledge feet and panelled front.
A Sheraton design mahogany sideboard with serpentine front. This high quality piece incorporates inlaid shell motifs and boxwood stringing decoration, even tapering legs. 4ft. 6ins. wide. 1780-1800.
Another Sheraton design with the same motifs but illustrating the inlaid circular panel on the deep drawers which is often found in quality pieces of the period. The square tapering legs end in a thicker foot. 4ft. 6ins. wide. 1780-1800
A plain mahogany serpentine- fronted sideboard with a brass back rail on square tapering legs. Quite apart from the lack of decoration, perhaps missing the elegant compactness of the previous example.