help with settee

I acquired this settee from a local antiques dealer. He didnt know the age or much about it. I cant fine one that resembles it online at all. Can anyone help me with an approximate date or any info about seats such as this? Era, etc. Seems to be a softer wood and in good condition. I'm thinking of redoing the fabric. Thank you

 

Nice late Victorian, so turn of the century or just a bit earlier. Hard telling wood but likely mahogany or a more non-descript wood stained to resemble mahogany.

 

Thanks! Do you think in terms of dating that's the style or that it's a more recent replica made to resemble that? And of the fabric would you think it's original. It's decent and the cushions are some of the better ones in my chairs. That said not a fan and I'd like to reupholster it to something a little less outstanding maybe.. unless folks think the fabric is original then I may keep it. Do you know of a manufacturer that did this style? I've found many victorian settees etc but none with this much wood detailing.

 

Your settee, which appears to have been recently reupholstered, is from the late Victorian era as noted above. The fabric is in a Napoleonic bee motif which is associated with the Neoclassical era. So, if you're willing to go to the expense of redoing, you might want to choose a fabric more in keeping with your settee's design.

Debora

 

thank you. Admittedly I dont know much about this but that might explain why there was something a little of I couldn't put my finger on. i will probably use fabric paint to start and eventually reupholster it myself. What is an approx value on it as is? Thanks again.

 

Personally I think it would be a mistake to replace the fabric. I see so many sofas get trashed because of worn fabric, and the fabric here is in perfect shape. Why not sell this one to someone who likes the fabric (I think it looks great), and buy a worn out cheap one that needs replacement fabric. It’s probably worth about what you paid for it at retail (though less if you try to sell yourself), since you bought from an antique dealer.

 

Welcome, abbypanda.
Beautiful craftsmanship. I get an Asian Colonial style vibe, possibly Dutch Colonial style from Indonesia. If it is, it could have been made at a later date.

That is quality fabric, I would leave it. Besides, the dog likes it. Don't know if it will like the dog for too long though.
Victorian style fabric may not be to your taste either. I would prefer this to most Victorian fabrics.
I agree with Jeff, leave it as it is and buy a worn out one to adapt to your taste.

 

Hadn't thought about that. Might be helpful if the OP tells us where they got it. Think less likely if in the US. More likely in the UK or elsewhere

 

And some more photos would help. @abbypanda could you post some more, also closeups of the construction and carving?

 

Here are some close ups. I had some with my phone but I think they've been deleted. I was able to zoom in on the high resolution photo though. it does rather have an asian flare. I was wondering if it might be some knockoff that's a mix of styles. Either way I've looked and look and cant find any settee that has carvings that resemble this to know what it might be called, etc. I got it in the Us; South. The dealer regularly sells high end oak furnitures but this def is not oak.
Thanks for the help so far.

 

I googled "carved indonesian settee" and the carvings do resemble ones that come up like this https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/s...rvings-from-jakarta-19th-century/id-f_812011/

 

Here is one of the pics. Can't really tell much more from this.

 

Thanks how do you embed them?

 

If it is Indonesian I would think either East Java or Madura. Jakarta is West Java.
The central flower reminds me of the Madurese lotus motif, of a lotus flower just opening and going upwards towards the light. It is a spiritual symbol of the search for enlightenment.
This is it, very worn, on a small 18th century Madurese keris (ceremonial dagger) sheath:


If you google Pasuruan carved furniture or Madura carved furniture you may be able to find something similar. If not, bear in mind that it could have been made there on commission. They can make any kind of furniture you want, they also made all the furniture for the recent 'Victoria' television series.