Featured American Renaissance Revival - Rosewood - Jelliff style

I am inheriting this set (one couch two chairs) from my mother who no longer wants it, it belonged to my great grandmother who lived in a farm near Milwaukee WI, and possibly belonged to my g.g.g. grandmother prior to her.

There is no marking/engraving - but from what we read seems to be "in the Jelliff style". Does anyone know the dates for this particular version/style of engraving/couch?

The head engravings have two different styles. On the top-backs of the chairs/couch they appear more as a helmet and the armrests they appear more of a crown. What are these called?

The set has sentimental value to me to me as an heirloom, not intending to sell. I am hoping to write something up and display/frame it with the (second) original upholstery and a photograph of the original owners, I have the m photographed sitting on a similar couch, perhaps at a relatives house (it doesn't appear to be the same one, unfortunately). Hopefully, someday my own daughters will enjoy reading the history. I covet any information that anyone is able to share about the furniture's possible history.

Also, it is quite clear that it is going to eventually need to be reupholstered and wondering if there is any advice you would give about what to ask for/look for that would help keep it looking authentic, about types of fabrics that would be appropriate. My mother states the original fabric was horse hair (?!?!) from what she heard, so clearly we won't go with that.

 

Love it, & so nice that they hold family history. The only bit I can contribute is that I think horse hair was used as stuffing, not for weaving fabric.

 

"In the Manner of" John Jelliff (headquartered in Newark, New Jersey) seems reasonable. These pieces seem to be the real deal. I'd guess ca. 1860-70. When reupholstering them, look for silk damask. Expensive, no doubt, but you're caring for the best. Horsehair would have been the padding, not the fabric. The top center parts are called crests. The masks are called "Jenny Linds" or "Brittanias," don't know if anyone has ever definitively said which.

Top quality set!

 

HA! Thank you so much for this - we were HIGHLY confused!!!

 

What a gorgeous set and could be Jelliff's work! You can access on-line museum catalogs and extant pieces to find out. As for the upholstery, I believe what she meant was "haircloth" upholstery, which is indeed woven with horsehair. Used since the 18th century here in the US, it is still made today and comes in some wonderful colors and patterns. Many museums use it and nothing could be more appropriate! It is rather shiny and feels a lot like the plastic webbing they used to use on chaise lounges in the 1960s. It is quite durable and will last several generations. I own a c. 1890 Eastlake set that still has its original black haircloth and all it needed was a good vacuuming and wipe down with a damp cloth. Here is a link to just one of the companies that offer it: https://www.horsehairfabrics.com/collection/

 

Learn something every day.

Don't they use plastic webbing on garden furniture anymore? I haven't sat out on a lawn or patio in ages.

 

I haven't seen it in a long time. Seems more like extruded tubing or stretched synthetic canvas or the like.

 

Wow this is amazing! My mom will be thrilled to hear this. I'll look into the haircloth, do you think it is worth recovering in haircloth if this will be our everyday/living room furniture (we have a tiny house)? It sounds like its pretty durable enough for everyday use, esp if your's still has the original, right?

I will see what I can find in on-line museum catalogs and "extant pieces" (new word for my vocabulary!). I'm curious to learn more about the set. If you have any particular links that would help, please do send my way!

 

Yes, it is very durable and will last much longer than a velvet, damask or brocade. If you like it, get it! Be sure to obtain samples first, it is not what a typical textile feels like.
For research, start with good old Google to locate extant pieces. Also do a right click on the images of your pieces for the drop-down menu and select "Search Google for Image" Two chairs similar to yours popped up right away. Eg: https://www.myantiquefurniturecollection.com/john-jelliff-chair-1621815.html Beware, a lot of pieces claim to be Jelliff without any documentation. It looks like the Brooklyn Museum has a fair number of his actual pieces. The Met has at least one, easy to find photos of it on-line. Scour their on-line furnishings collections, but better still visit in person if you are able. I don't know if any of Jelliffs catalogs exist, I can check some of my books for you tomorrow. Winterthur has one of the largest trade catalog collections that I know of. Unfortunately, they are not often available on-line so you may have to travel or hire a staff member to research for you. Good luck!

 

I see no reason to change the fabric at this time....

 

Remembers this discussion on the old & now defunct Rare Victorian site back in the day.

 

Good times kicking around those dusty halls....

 

Dark wing beat me to the horse hair. I just learned about it last summer at the Lincoln House in Springfield, Ill. They have a patch of the original that you can touch and is quite nice. Some of the Lincoln chairs are still in the original black horse hair cloth coverings and they look like new. It resembles satin. Ps . The house is worth the tour. That is beautiful furniture. I wouldn't even mind dusting all those nooks and crannies! Glad you are keeping it.

 

@Lark: Good point about the Lincoln House in Springfield. Very interesting to tour, and some nice furniture as well.

 

Ditto in DC at Fords' theater where Lincoln was shot & the house across the street where Lincoln died. They are both just as they were the night of Lincoln's death.
I did a job once at that theater, arrived early morning and it was still dark & front door locked so went around to the back entrance, the alley was all cobblestone, betting it was the original pavement. Eerie thinking about John Wilkes Booth making his get-away on those same cobblestones over a century before.

 

They are the original cobble stones. We still have one street in our town (Sweet Springs ,Mo ) that is the original cobblestone pavers from the 1840's.

 

Yes, probably are.
Cobblestone streets/ sidewalks are quite common in DC especially in the older colonial neighborhoods like Georgetown.
If you do any work that disturbs them, they must be marked and reinstalled EXACTLY where they were originally.
That is NOT what one would call an insignificant extra expense, that's for sure.