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.

Home > Sofas > French Sofas > Page 3

Antique French Sofas

122 items · page 3 of 8

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A French canapé or settee is a two-seat upholstered bench with its carved wooden frame left on show, made for the salon rather than for slumping in.

19th century

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Large 19th Century French Giltwood Sofa

From Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd

£3,400

FOR SALE

sofas

19th century

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A 19th Century Gilt Carved Settee.

From Youngs Antiques

£2,500

FOR SALE

sofas

1900 - 1920

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French Three Seater Sofa

From Claire Langley Antiques

£3,200

FOR SALE

sofas

1900 - 1920

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Louis XVI Revival Walnut Caned Settee

From Shackladys Antiques

£1,645

FOR SALE

sofas

French Belle Époque Leather Banquette Sofa Circa 1900, with Velvet Trim

1900 - 1920

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French Belle Époque Leather Banquette Sofa Circa 1900, with Velvet Trim

From Tinker & Toad

£795

FOR SALE

sofas

Napoleon III Buttoned High Back Small Sofa

19th century

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Napoleon III Buttoned High Back Small Sofa

From TallBoy Interiors

£1,995

FOR SALE

sofas

A Louise XV Giltwood Canape of Desirable Proportions

19th century

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A Louise XV Giltwood Canape of Desirable Proportions

From Georgian Antiques

£2,250

FOR SALE

sofas

1900 - 1920

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Carved Walnut Open Arm Sofa.

From Rupert Hitchcox Antiques

£265

FOR SALE

sofas

19th century

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Antique Victorian C.1860 Walnut Chaise Longue – Elegant 19th Century Seating

From Prior and Willis

£1,956

FOR SALE

sofas

19th century

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A 19th Century French Bergere Settee

From Christine Kavanagh Antiques

£595

FOR SALE

sofas

The rarest origins in the French sofa archive on Sellingantiques aren't French at all: a Viennese enamel-mounted sofa, a Swedish Gustavian settee, a Swedish Empire giltwood settee.

Antique Victorian Original Gilt Sofa 1880s

19th century

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Antique Victorian Original Gilt Sofa 1880s

From Pendle Antiques

£2,250

FOR SALE

sofas

1900 - 1920

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Very Nice Upholstered Sofa

From Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

£895

FOR SALE

sofas

Art Deco Palisander Sofa of Scroll Shape

1900 - 1920

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Art Deco Palisander Sofa of Scroll Shape

From Church Street Antiques & Interiors

£1,950

FOR SALE

sofas

19th century

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19th Century Louis XVI Painted Caned Bergère Sofa, C1880

From Anthony Short Antiques

£3,400

FOR SALE

sofas

19th century

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French Gilt Two Seat Sofa

From Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

£995

FOR SALE

sofas

19th century

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Late 19thc. Painted Sofa

From Piers Pisani Ltd Antiques and Furniture

£750

FOR SALE

sofas

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Antique French Sofas

Large 19th Century French Giltwood Sofa

A 19th Century Gilt Carved Settee.

French Three Seater Sofa

Louis XVI Revival Walnut Caned Settee

French Belle Époque Leather Banquette Sofa Circa 1900, with Velvet Trim

Napoleon III Buttoned High Back Small Sofa

A Louise XV Giltwood Canape of Desirable Proportions

Carved Walnut Open Arm Sofa.

Antique Victorian C.1860 Walnut Chaise Longue – Elegant 19th Century Seating

A 19th Century French Bergere Settee

Antique Victorian Original Gilt Sofa 1880s

Very Nice Upholstered Sofa

Art Deco Palisander Sofa of Scroll Shape

19th Century Louis XVI Painted Caned Bergère Sofa, C1880

French Gilt Two Seat Sofa

Late 19thc. Painted Sofa

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