I found this beauty at an antique show where I went to buy Victorian jewelry to sell. (THIS will NEVER be sold!!)
I did an Internet search as soon as I got it home, but after about eight hours I couldn't find anything like it.
The "Winged Crown" and the "Dangling Thistles" were NOWHERE to be Found!!
I think it's Rococo Revival or earlier, and it's either a settee or a canape. I am almost 100% sure that it is Hand-Carved Walnut, with some areas of "Burled" Walnut adornments.
It had a plywood bottom added years ago so if it has a signature, it's probably under that.
(I know the Purple Velvet upholstery is not 1800s.)
I found out that it was the "Crown" that is amazingly ornate with a carved oval having AMAZINGLY CARVED, 3-Dimensional WINGS on either side of the oval. I could find NO OTHERS with a Winged Crown, but it is GORGEOUS!!
I know it has been reinforced with steel at some "break" points, at the back, but all wood is present.
I would LOVE to know more about this.
I'm not looking for an appraisal, because it is only for me, but I'd really appreciate the era it was created, what it's called, who may have designed and/or made it, and any other information I can get.
Thank you SO MUCH!!
Jami, from Ohio
Information needed on my Special Find (1800s Couch)
Archive summary
Victorian Furniture thread on victorianforum.com · started May 18, 2010 by jgoldilox · 4 posts, 5 image attachments · discussion in 2010.
I found this beauty at an antique show where I went to buy Victorian jewelry to sell. (THIS will NEVER be sold!!) I did an Internet search as soon as I got it home, but after about eight hours I couldn't find anything like it. The "Winged Crown" and the "Dangling Thistles"…
Jami,
Nice find. As you've noted, this is a very individualistic piece and I think you can rule out an NYC famous maker provenance. More likely, it was made in a regional shop/factory, maybe right there in Ohio. As for the date-I'd suggest from the late 1860's to about 1880. It is loosely in the American Renaissance Revival style but has an almost "folk art" carved quality to it. The carved "wings" descending from the burlwood veneered crest are unusual. (usually such crest carvings appear to be linen folds or drapery) The drop pendant ornaments to either side are also a little unusual with their cross hatching patterns. Again, I think it was probably made in a smaller shop or factory; there were hundreds in towns and small cities across the Midwest during this period. By the mid to late 1880's American walnut forests had been severely over-cut so production shifted to Oak ushering in the "Golden Oak" era of the 1890's and early 1900's. Definitely a keeper! (I'd keep an eye out for matching side chairs as it was likely once part of a matching parlor set)
Nice find. As you've noted, this is a very individualistic piece and I think you can rule out an NYC famous maker provenance. More likely, it was made in a regional shop/factory, maybe right there in Ohio. As for the date-I'd suggest from the late 1860's to about 1880. It is loosely in the American Renaissance Revival style but has an almost "folk art" carved quality to it. The carved "wings" descending from the burlwood veneered crest are unusual. (usually such crest carvings appear to be linen folds or drapery) The drop pendant ornaments to either side are also a little unusual with their cross hatching patterns. Again, I think it was probably made in a smaller shop or factory; there were hundreds in towns and small cities across the Midwest during this period. By the mid to late 1880's American walnut forests had been severely over-cut so production shifted to Oak ushering in the "Golden Oak" era of the 1890's and early 1900's. Definitely a keeper! (I'd keep an eye out for matching side chairs as it was likely once part of a matching parlor set)
Thank you, SO MUCH, Vintrest!!
I searched and searched and couldn't find anything CLOSE to this one. When you say factory, they did hand-carving in them?
Are the "drops" thistle, or acorns, maybe, or do you think they are just a design?
I'll have to keep looking for the rest of the set. I just love the 3-dimensional detail of the wings.
I appreciate the time you took to respond. It helped a huge amount.
Jami :)
I searched and searched and couldn't find anything CLOSE to this one. When you say factory, they did hand-carving in them?
Are the "drops" thistle, or acorns, maybe, or do you think they are just a design?
I'll have to keep looking for the rest of the set. I just love the 3-dimensional detail of the wings.
I appreciate the time you took to respond. It helped a huge amount.
Jami :)
Hand carving at furnitures factories during the Victorian era was the rule rather than the exception. By the 1880's, mechanical "carving" machines appeared on the scene to be used on many simpler designs (which were roughed out by the machine and then hand-finished) and only very high-end pieces were entirely hand-carved, usually by master carvers and cabinet makers, many of them from Germany and other European countries with traditions of fine craftsmanship. The famous Herter Brothers of New York brought the best master carvers and craftsmen from their native Germany to create their ultra high-end pieces for the wealthiest patrons of the Gilded Age.
Your settee's ornamental elements appear to be all hand-carved but that still does not mean it was not made in a production shop or small factory. As stated, there were hundreds of small regional furniture makers in the second half of the 19th Century and many sold their production pieces locally. I believe your settee is in this category. As for the drop pendant ornament, a cross-hatch pattern of that type is a little less common and maybe subconsciously, they were trying to imitate a thistle or acorn texture. Both motifs were used on furniture pieces at that time. The wings motifs instead of the usual drapery folds is very unusual and individualistic. Burlwood veneer was very popular to add sparkle to pieces in the 1870's. Hope this is helpful and good luck in finding the rest of the Parlor suite.
John
Your settee's ornamental elements appear to be all hand-carved but that still does not mean it was not made in a production shop or small factory. As stated, there were hundreds of small regional furniture makers in the second half of the 19th Century and many sold their production pieces locally. I believe your settee is in this category. As for the drop pendant ornament, a cross-hatch pattern of that type is a little less common and maybe subconsciously, they were trying to imitate a thistle or acorn texture. Both motifs were used on furniture pieces at that time. The wings motifs instead of the usual drapery folds is very unusual and individualistic. Burlwood veneer was very popular to add sparkle to pieces in the 1870's. Hope this is helpful and good luck in finding the rest of the Parlor suite.
John