It's the French term for a settee or sofa with a carved, exposed wooden frame. The form took shape in 18th-century France as salon furniture. In listings the word is used much like sofa. Fifty-two titles on Sellingantiques carry canapé or a shortened spelling of it.

Are these sofas usually two-seaters?

Two seats is the default. Seat and seater terms appear in eighty-nine titles, and "three" shows up in only nine. Sizes skew small generally. The word "small" appears about as often as "large" across the category.

Which woods and finishes turn up most?

Walnut leads, in about a fifth of titles, often carved. Giltwood, gilt wood and gilt cover roughly a tenth, and painted frames a little less. Mahogany and ebonised frames appear on the Empire and Napoleon III side. Species such as beech, cherry, rosewood and fruitwood surface only a few times each.

Does Louis XVI mean the sofa is 18th century?

Not on its own. Much of what carries a Louis XV or Louis XVI label is described as style or revival, made during the 19th or early 20th century. Genuine 18th-century claims are scarce, appearing in eleven titles out of 532. Louis XVI alone accounts for forty-one titles.

Do any of these carry a maker's name?

No. Across 532 listings, not one maker's name emerges. French seat furniture in this category is sold on style, timber and date. Only one piece carries a named house provenance, a giltwood canapé from Humewood Castle.

How many come up for sale each year?

Around fifty-two a year, and 128 different dealers have listed one. That spread tells you it's a category almost every general furniture dealer touches at some point, rather than the preserve of a few specialists.