The settee is about 58 inches long, 40 inches high across the cane back. Wheat sheaves carved across the top back. The arms are lower and caned in between the wood framing. The seat has a single cushion about 17 inches deep by 54 inches long, It is in excellent condition.
it has the exact same carving as shown in the Connoisseur Magazine article. It has the same finish and I believe the finish is original and not tampered with in any way. The cushion is not original, it is about 10 years old.
Dear Judith,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. So that I may best assist you, can you please upload a few images showing the underside of this settee? That will help me determine if this is a period piece or a later reproduction.
Thanks
Hi Judith,
The carving on the crest of this settee was seen on settees made by Duncan Phyfe of New York in the early 19th century; the form was subsequently copied fairly extensive, even into the 20th century so assessing the date of your settee is important to assigning the correct value.
From your photographs, I 'think' this was made in the early 19th century but I'd need to see how the underside was constructed to be sure.
If this settee could be documented to Phyfe's shop, it would be worth $50,000-80,000 at auction today
If it is an early 19th century settee it would have an estimate of $1,500-2,500
If it is a 20th century settee, it would have an estimate of $400-600.
Photographs of the underneath would greatly help to confirm if this was early 19th century, or later; documentation to confirm the history of the piece is really the only way to link it to Phyfe's shop and the significantly higher value.
It's more than likely this is period so I will value it at $1,500-2,500 with the caveat that could change pending additional photographs.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you for working with Mearto.