Webberley Antiques

Description

An exceptionally rare and original mid 18th Century miniature settee of superb quality and incorporating all of the finest and most fashionable design elements of the British mid Georgian period.

The high hipped cabriole front legs which are carved with a drop bell husk and scallop shell to the knee, terminate in exquisitely formed claw and ball feet. The legs flanked by fine foliate carved spandrels. The fluid shepherd's crook arms in solid mahogany adjoin the curved seat rail which is dressed with thickly cut walnut veneers. The double vase shaped splat back again with thickly cut walnut veneers, and centred with tassels of carved drop bell husks and finely carved anthemion.

The quality of the joinery is first class and the settee was either made as a child's seat - an exact copy of the full sized settee made for the adults of a wealthy household or it was made as a sample and taken to exhibitions and shown to aristocratic clients and architects to demonstrate the maker's quality and style so that a full sized settee could be ordered on the spot. It would have been a most expensive commission to have a small or large settee made of this quality.

The drop in seat newly and professionally upholstered in a beautiful shimmering green/lilac pure silk fabric from Gainsborough Silk Weaving Company (design no: 30865/TR 3448C).

Without any breaks, and with no weak joints or significant restorations. Heavy and robust. Additional photographs showing details of the construction and with seat pad removed are available on request.

This little settee was made in c. 1750 and has a beautiful well developed colour to the walnut with soft warm browns and golden flashes and a good natural patina.

An extremely rare survivor in lovely condition for age, graceful and utterly charming.


Dimensions are: Height is 26 inches, height from floor to top of seat is c. 11 inches, height from floor to top of arms is c. 18 inches, maximum depth is 18 inches, maximum width is 32 inches, width between arms is a minimum of 29 inches, depth of seat is 12.5 inches, height from seat rail to top of back is 18 inches.

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