Sale 1305
| Chicago
| Chicago
Estimate$15,000 – $25,000
Note:
Tripartite sofas such as the present example, which allowed for confidential conversation between sitters, originated in mid-18th century France. The form was adopted by English makers and appears in numerous publications of furniture designs.
A confidante sofa attributed to Thomas Chippendale is in the collection of Basildon Park, Berkshire (National Trust: 266682). Another design by Hepplewhite appears in his Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, published in 1788. A drawing for the design of a closely related confidante sofa by John Linnell is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum (No. E.121-1929). That drawing shares design elements with the present sofa, such as tapering legs with bellflower carving.
Photo credit: Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Seat height: 16 1/2 inches.
one of the back legs with painted museum accession number: 1940.1055
Overall sturdy, well conserved condition and can support weight. Possibly originally painted; the gilding evenly worn throughout with areas of flaking gold. One of the rear legs and one front leg with an old repair from a break. Later cross struts added to the underside, as well as later metal L brackets for stability. Missing one rosette from the end of one armrest.
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European Furniture & Decorative Arts Department
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