Victorian Furniture

Cameo couch, engraved with roses, marked "BY Victorian" on back leg

Started by carolbygrace · March 14, 2009 · 5 posts · 2 images

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Victorian Furniture thread on victorianforum.com · started March 14, 2009 by carolbygrace · 5 posts, 2 image attachments · discussion in 2009.

[Historical image from www.flickr.com — no longer available] We have recently acquired a cameo couch, measures 80 inches, with a rose carved into the top of the wood frame of the cameo back, and a two smaller roses- one on each end of the curved top.On one of the back legs…

[Historical image from www.flickr.com — no longer available]

We have recently acquired a cameo couch, measures 80 inches, with a rose carved into the top of the wood frame of the cameo back, and a two smaller roses- one on each end of the curved top.On one of the back legs there are the words "By Victorian" engraved into the wood.

Here is a link to a photo of it -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25571720@N04/3349549151/

If anyone can point us in the right direction to identify this couch, we would appreciate it.

According to Victorian Detail, medallion back sofas are categorized as Napoleon III style (1852-1870), "Second Empire".  You will often see these referred to as Rococo.

"Medallion backs" were produced as late as 1880s, which is open to possibility for your sofa.  1850s-early 1880s.  Closer detailed inspection could refine that.  I can't tell the wood from the photo, but is likely Walnut or possibly Rosewood.
Cameo sofa — Cameo couch, engraved with roses, marked "BY Victorian" on back leg
Cameo sofa — Cameo couch, engraved with roses, marked "BY Victorian" on back leg
Quote from: Rare Victorian
According to Victorian Detail, medallion back sofas are categorized as Napoleon III style (1852-1870), "Second Empire".  You will often see these referred to as Rococo.

"Medallion backs" were produced as late as 1880s, which is open to possibility for your sofa.  1850s-early 1880s.  Closer detailed inspection could refine that.  I can't tell the wood from the photo, but is likely Walnut or possibly Rosewood.


Consider also that this may be a modern reproduction... from the photo posted, it is looks a lot like this repro sofa manufactured by Carlton McLendon (Martha M. House).

mclendon — Cameo couch, engraved with roses, marked "BY Victorian" on back leg
mclendon — Cameo couch, engraved with roses, marked "BY Victorian" on back leg
I am in agreement with ThePeacockRoom on this one.  Appears to be a modern reproduction.

Michael
Yes, Indeedy.  Nice find.  Hard to see from a distant photo without detail.