SETTEES  sofas, day-beds and couches
A George I walnut settee with shepherd’s crook arms. The cabriole legs have thread and scroll decoration and end in pad feet. The fabric is not contemporary, which would increase the price considerably. 1715-1725
A Chippendale mahogany settee showing the double back design taken from a single chair. 1750-1770
The earliest forms of settee were simply extended versions of the armchairs of the period, whether upholstered or, like Chippendale’s examples, with backs that were a two-, three- or four-fold repeat of the single chair back with which the settee went en suite. These are, understandably, not very popular and it is not until the return of the fully upholstered back that any great enthusiasm emerges amongst general collectors.
From about 1770 onwards the fully upholstered settee, then the couch or day-bed of Regency times and the exuberantly carved Victorian chaise-longues and couches, the Chesterfield and all the other forms made their appearance in sequence. These are now part of the general antique collecting scene, whereas the upholstered late seventeenth century pieces and hard-backed Chippendale versions are a specialist taste.
The price is obviously greatly influenced by the condition of the upholstery, and unless otherwise stated values are based on the piece being covered in good quality modern upholstery.
A Hepplewhite mahogany upholstered settee on slightly splayed legs. Note that the hessian below the seat has been ripped out. At this price one needs to check that the frame is period as well, as it appears somebody has done by the torn canvas at the bottom of the seat. 1780-1800
A Hepplewhite button upholstered settee on tapering legs. An elegant serviceable piece. 1780-1800
A superb Adam sofa or window seat. The workmanship is of the highest quality. A very elegant piece.
c. 1775
Bear in mind that the prices which follow take account of the cost of new upholstery, which they are assumed to have.
A four-seat Sheraton settee on turned and fluted legs.
A Regency  chaise-longue with carved decoration on the front.
A Regency mahogany chaise-longue on paw feet. 1810-1825
A mahogany chaise-longue with metal decoration and heavy rounded padded ends. 1810-1830
A Victorian single-ended chaise-longue with deeply buttoned back.
A Victorian walnut richly carved settee. c.1825-1850
A Victorian double-ended settee with flowing scrolled lines and considerable carving, offered over a wide range of time. 1850-1880
A William IV mahogany sofa, with rather bulbous reeded legs, showing the doubleended design favoured by several designers.
A walnut Victorian double spoon-backed settee with leaf carving and fretted scrolls.
A mahogany Victorian settee with French influence in the back design. The legs are the same as the chairs of this date.
An unusual Victorian button backed Chesterfield with scrolled arms and turned legs.
A Victorian Chesterfield with typical button upholstery. Now very often recovered in leather. 1860-1900