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How to Identify Antique Settees

Originally introduced around 1710, settees developed from the armchairs of the time, as Peter Philp and Gillian Walkling explain in their book ̶0;Antique Furniture Expert.̶1; In common parlance, the terms ̶0;settee̶1; and ̶0;sofa̶1; are often used interchangeably, but the two actually differ, in that settees are more slender, upright and less deeply upholstered ̵1; and hence less comfortable ̵1; than sofas, which tend to be heavier and more accommodating. You can identify antique examples by looking at style, construction and patterns of wear.

Instructions

- 1
  Look at the piece to see to what extent it is upholstered. As John Kenworthy-Brown points out in ̶0;The History of Furniture,̶1; early examples were upholstered only on the seat. By the 1760s, upholstery had spread to the back and, in some cases, the arms as well. A piece with a plain wooden back could therefore be early.
- 2
  Inspect the piece to see how ̶0;chair-like̶1; it is. Examples of 18th century construction often resemble two or three chairs attached side by side, with separate backs conjoined by a top rail and numerous legs below. If you're settee is like this, then it is likely to be antique.
- 3
  Examine the ends of the settee's legs for the little wheels known as ̶0;castors.̶1; While not all settees will have these, many will, and they are a useful indicator of age. According to John Bly in his book ̶0;Is It Genuine?̶1;, before about 1760, castors were made from leather. After 1760, most castors were fashioned from brass, with ceramic castors having a period of popularity in the latter half of the 19th century. The mounts fitting the castors onto the ends of the legs were plain until around 1800, when ornamental detail's such as lion's paws and acanthus leaves came into vogue.
- 4
  Turn the piece upside down. Look in the corners of the settee for diagonal pieces of wood known as reinforcing blocks. If the outward facing edges of the blocks are curved and they are screwed into place, then the piece is unlikely to date from before 1850. Earlier pieces should have plain and simple struts.
- 5
  Examine the piece for a credible pattern of wear ̵1; the sort of wear and tear that would naturally occur over years of use. For example, inspect the upholstery for pockets of dust in corners, for fading as a result of sunlight and for rubbing in places such as the ends of the arms and the front of the seat. Check pressure points such as the tops of the back legs and the joints of the arms for cracking, loosening or repairs. Inspect the castors and ends of the legs for dirt and dents. If your piece has a credible pattern of wear, then you can feel confident that it has some age.

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