Settee
Category
Furniture
Date
1705 - 1715
Materials
Velvet, Walnut, Wool
Measurements
1350 x 2020 x 660 mm
Order this imageCollection
Cotehele, Cornwall
NT 347701
Summary
Triple-backed settee of shaped outline and with curved arms; straight moulded walnut supports united by serpentine stretchers with turned finials at the junctions. Upholstered in close-nailed red velvet, faded to a deep yellow, repaired with panels of gros-point embroidery. See also 349467.3.37. According to Dr Adam Bowett (2002): Sofa, c. 1705-15. The first recorded use of the term ‘Sofa’ occurs in a bill of 1697, but no surviving examples predate 1700. The form of this sofa, with its ‘scrowled cheeks’ and ‘rolled’ arms, is typical of the decade after 1705, and the stylised pillar leg is known from several documented examples dating a few years either side of 1710. However, the design of the back is highly unusual. The frame has been constructed specifically to accommodate the needlework panels, whose shape bears close comparison with contemporary pier-glasses. The lower frame was originally japanned black. It has lost its feet, which were probably either square, turned or scrolled in the so-called ‘Spanish’ or ‘Braganza’ style.