What periods do these seats cover?

The listings span several centuries, including 18th-century examples from the Georgian era as well as numerous 19th-century Victorian and Edwardian pieces. Later 20th-century items also appear. Buyers find distinct design characteristics in each era, ranging from carved mahogany Chippendale styles to button-backed Victorian upholstery and inlaid Edwardian frames.

How do I identify a settee from a sofa?

Settees and sofas both provide multi-seat resting spaces, though historical terminology often distinguishes them by their framing and backrest construction. Settees frequently display more exposed wooden framing. Many listed items use both terms interchangeably for upholstered seating designed to accommodate more than one person in a drawing room or salon.

Are these chairs suitable for daily use?

Period seating is structurally robust, utilising dense timbers like mahogany and walnut that withstand regular sitting. Internal padding varies from traditional feather filling to modern foam. When living with these pieces, placement away from direct sunlight protects delicate silk and damask textile upholstery from fading over time.

What timber types are most common?

Mahogany and walnut form the structural basis for the majority of the wooden frames on this page. Rosewood and giltwood also appear on specific revival and French pieces. These hardwoods provide the structural strength required for carved cabriole legs, X-frames, and intricate chair backs.