Victorian Style Sofa

My wife and I bought an older home a couple of years ago and have been slowly adding furnishings that we like. We came across a victorian "style" sofa at an antique store a couple days ago and bought it to put in a nook area of our master bedroom.

We just like it for what it is, but I'm curious about its age. The value isn't really a concern. Like I said, we just like the piece.

Anyway, I know this style was reproduced at least into the 1970's and probably later. But, I'm guessing this one is at least older than that because the seat filling is horsehair. Underneath, someone has stapled a new covering over the old one, although I can still see the edges of the original. I would imagine any tags or marking would be underneath there. But, I was just curious if there's a way to get a rough estimate of age based on the horsehair/springs, or anything else?

 

At first glance, it seems better/older than the reproductions in the 70s and later. Will need more pics to evaluate further.

 

Ok, thanks. I'll add some more photos tonight. Any particular things I should focus on photographing?

 

Close ups of the carving, any joints you can see, especially on the under side

 

This sofa design has been heavily reproduced. Here’s hoping you got an original.

 

Key word = medallion back. Very pleasing lines. Fingers crossed it's period.

Debora

 

Im going to vote original. Its got wear in all the places youd expect. Maybe 1890 or so. Very pretty couch .Give the upholstery a good cleaning and you might be surprised how it perks up. Then you wont have to reupholster,wich is hideously expensive. Congrats on the new house.

 

Here's a few photos. Not sure if they'll tell you guys much. Like I said, we bought it because we liked it, and the price was good, even if it's a later reproduction. What made me start wondering about the age is the fact it's filled with horsehair. I know that doesn't necessarily make it an original victorian piece, but it probably makes it older than any sofa I've ever owned. LOL.

 

More photos

 

And more

 

Hmmm.With the new pics I now think later reproduction. Wait for others,Im often wrong.

 

I don't see pics...just links,,

 

If only there were some way to see them.

 

Have to edit slightly to make them load........I don't know WHY this is, but, PHEW........done! I think it's probably old....been reupholstered, but look closely at some of the finish (especially where OP pulled back the fabric), you can see age crackling.....I think it's been well taken care of........(but I could also be wrong!)













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With the style of carving, and the fact that the recesses look 'antiqued', my guess is second half of the 20th century. It has some age, but not antique.

Wonderful sofa though, and the colour of the upholstery goes perfectly with it.

 

The horsehair is what throws me off. Manufacturers began phasing that out in the 1950s, so horsehair for a 1980s reproduction seems unlikely. Otherwise, it fits easily into the 1970s-90s period.

 

New pictures also makes me think a nicer quality reproduction. Something about the mahogany doesn't seem right for a period piece. Some kind of Asian plantation variety.

Was there a pic of the horse hair? Wonder if it could be something else. Here is an interesting site with info on upholstery stuffing.

Lefebvre's Upholstery: My Furniture is Stuffed with WHAT? (lefebvreupholstery.blogspot.com)

 

the staples do not speak to an older mfg !

 

I thought those were stitches at first. But you're right, they're staples.