Attribution on this rococo sofa??

I've discovered this sofa being offered as black walnut circa 1890. . . looks more like a rosewood sofa with a darkened finish circa 1850s. . . any and all opinions are welcome.  Clearly made by a fine shop.  Thanks for your attention!

Your sofa looks more like what you describe than how the store describes it.  I can't make out the wood grain due to the black whatever coating it, but maybe you can look on the underside to tell if it is Rosewood. Nice form, but not one whose maker or geography I recognize.  Maybe others have thoughts.

Welcome to the forum, BTW.  Saw your incoming IP address and it appears you may be in my neck of the woods, Philly?

Hello,
Yes I am in Philly and thrilled to have discovered this site!  I am in the process of restoring an 1860 Italianate in the University City section of town. Are you also based in Philadelphia?

Do let me know if you have any photos/references that might be helpful in identifying this.  Where would a makers mark/stamp/label be located on a piece such as this?

Gregory

In my experience there would be none on a piece like that.  If anything, it would be invisible to you until you stripped the upholstery, but the chance is near nil and not worth stripping it, unless you happen to do that anyway.  I went through several likely books to find it and have not yet.  I'll let you know if I find one.

Yes, I'm in the suburbs on the main line - West Chester area.  Put up some pics for us in the Victorian Houses section of your Italianate.  We'd love to see them.

John

John,
I happened to be flipping through the Dubrow's book on 19th century furniture and noticed a print ad for P Mallard from the early 1850s shown side by side with another print ad using the same "clip art" and the form is identical to this sofa.  I wonder if this is simply an early pre-Belter form.  Your thoughts are appreciated.  By the way, the sofa has been restuffed and restrung and is being offered at $1695 firm.  What do you think of the price?

Gregory

Did they put new upholstery on since the photos you sent?

No, the muslin you see is what it is currently like. . . no uphosltery.  Apparently the respringing/restuffing took place years ago and was never completed with upholstery material (it is not in a shop but is being sold privately).

Gregory

Seems a bit high considering the amount of money that will need to be spent to upholster unless you can associate it with a known maker with some certainty (which I cannot).  That said, I've seen furniture in person after seeing it in pictures and was blown away with how much better it looked in person and my value grew accordingly. 

From the pictures, however I think their "firm" price is higher than I would like to spend considering the further expense that is imminent.  My discomfort is solely based on what I see at auction.  If you're not a person who is auction-inclined then a retail price might be acceptable.  Freeman's, Pook & Pook, S&S, and Kamelot are auctions local to you, so if you're not opposed to waiting for a future sale, you might get a sofa not requiring the upholstery expense for even less than the $1,695.

By pre-Belter I assume you mean pre-Belter-heydey (mid-century) vs. pre-Belter since he came to the U.S. in 1833.  I can't pinpoint the period aside from my guess at the general time period of mid-century.  The variation from Belter as your style reference point may just be the uniqueness of the cabinetmaker's design taste or the regional variations vs. a difference suggesting that it came before or after Belter's work.

Thanks for your comments. . . will let you know.  If there is anyone else out there who has any ideas about this sofa, don't hesitate to ask.

I will try to get some pictures up of the house when I get a chance!
Gregory

that is, "Don't hesitate to share"

The sofa appears as an original ebonized finish and possiby a less grade wood than is being discussed??