19th Century Carved Red and Gilt Tête-À-Tête Lovers Conversation Set

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19th Century Carved Red & Gilt Tête-à-Tête Lovers Conversation Settee C.1880

A spectacular and highly unusual late 19th century carved … Read more 19th Century Carved Red & Gilt Tête-à-Tête Lovers Conversation Settee C.1880

A spectacular and highly unusual late 19th century carved wood tête-à-tête, lovers' or conversation settee, circa 1880, retaining its wonderfully time-worn red painted and gilt decorated finish. Designed with two opposing seats so that its occupants could sit intimately face-to-face, the chair has an extraordinary serpentine framework profusely carved throughout with scrolling foliage, flower heads, architectural mouldings and turned and carved supports, all raised upon elegant turned legs. The contrasting white upholstered seats allow the remarkable sculptural framework to take centre stage. The carving is particularly accomplished and wonderfully eccentric. Each pierced back incorporates confronting griffin or dragon-like creatures above intertwined serpents, surrounded by luxuriant acanthus foliage, while the sweeping top rail terminates in boldly carved foliate roundels. Crowning the centre is a beautifully modelled female classical mask, framed by scrolling ornament and flower buds. The original-style red and gilt decoration has mellowed superbly with age, with extensive rubbing and wear revealing the timber and underlying layers beneath and creating precisely the sort of rich, untouched surface that collectors of decorative antique furniture seek. Known variously as a tête-à-tête, vis-à-vis, courting chair, conversation chair or lovers' seat, this ingenious form became fashionable during the 19th century, allowing two people to converse privately whilst remaining seated in a socially acceptable arrangement. This is a particularly flamboyant interpretation, combining the romantic form with Renaissance Revival carving and an exceptional distressed red-and-gold surface. Highly sculptural from every angle, it would make a fabulous centrepiece in a drawing room, entrance hall, bedroom or eclectic country-house interior, with the extensive historic rubbing, losses and patination to the decoration forming an important part of its wonderfully atmospheric character.

Dimensions Height: 77cm Width: 129.5cm Depth: 69cm Seat height: 43cm See less