Pair of Upholstered Settees
These pair of upholstered settees offer matching seating in mahogany and walnut, bringing period character to a formal room.
Pair of Upholstered Settees
A pair of upholstered settees provides matched dual seating for a drawing room or salon, appearing in forms from Victorian rococo revival to Edwardian inlaid mahogany. Buyers seeking this phrase encounter twin twin-seaters or matched arrangements from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The selections span English country house taste, French chateau influences, and Chippendale revival designs. Pieces range from straightforward mahogany frames to elaborate walnut creations with damask fabric and brass details.
How they were made
Frames rely on solid timbers such as mahogany and walnut, often shaped with carved ornament or decorative inlay. Woodwork supports complex internal stuffing covered in textiles like cotton, damask fabric, and patterned upholstery.
Construction methods reflect the period, incorporating exposed wooden frames alongside fully upholstered surfaces. Details include carved lion paw feet, brass fittings, and delicate marquetry inlay on the show wood.
Pair of Upholstered Settees Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for pair of upholstered settees among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Certain Victorian frames feature carved lion paw feet to anchor the seating.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the crispness of the timber carving and the architectural proportion of the frame. Superior examples demonstrate refined cabinetwork, integrated inlay, and robust structural joinery beneath the textile cover.
The sophistication of the stylistic revival dictates the distinction between standard and finer output. Elaborate detailing, such as carved walnut feet and distinct period upholstery treatments, elevates the standing of a suite.
Howard and Sons
The Pair of Upholstered Settees Glossary
- Settee
- A long upholstered seat for more than one person with a back and arms. These forms serve as principal seating in historic interiors.
- Damask
- A reversible figured fabric woven on a jacquard loom with patterns visible on both sides. This textile appears frequently on period upholstered seating.
- Marquetry
- Decorative veneer work forming pictures or geometric patterns using various woods. This technique adorns the wooden frames of specific regional suites.
- Revival
- A design style that consciously copies the historical aesthetic of an earlier era. Examples include Chippendale revival and Victorian rococo revival forms.
Pair of Upholstered Settees: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these settees cover?
The pieces span the nineteenth century through the Edwardian era and into nineteen thirty. They include Victorian and Edwardian design phases.
Craftsmanship shifts from heavy walnut carving towards lighter inlaid mahogany and transitional revival styles.
Are these always sold as pairs?
Listings feature matched pairs of settees alongside larger salon suites that include armchairs and matching sofas. Configurations vary depending on the original commission.
Buyers find twin settees as well as three piece suites pairing a main seat with matching chairs.
What woods appear in the frames?
Mahogany and walnut form the primary structural timbers for the visible woodwork. Artisans utilised these durable woods for both carved and inlaid surfaces.
Secondary woods support the internal frames beneath the cotton and damask upholstery.
How do these fit into modern rooms?
A matched pair provides symmetrical seating arrangements for drawing rooms, large hallways, or generous reception spaces. Their historical presence anchors traditional and eclectic interior schemes.
Placing twin settees opposite each other creates a balanced conversation area.