Use this list to identify a number of some common types that antique furniture fans are likely to run across in their adventures. The French word boudeuse translates as “sulky”—typical, perhaps, of the mood of a pair of lovers who chose to sit facing away from each other on this type of seating. Leg and foot styles vary, depending on the exact period. Cabriole legs are typical on Queen Anne and Chippendale pieces, while tapered legs characterize those in the style of Hepplewhite (whose designs the style is often connected to), and elaborately carved monopodium feet often adorn Empire pieces. This style is sometimes described as a “humpback” sofa. This style is experiencing a modern comeback among do-it-yourself project fans who are combining thrifted individual chairs with interesting backs into settees. It originated in England in the late 18th century. Legend has it was named for the trend-setting Earl of Chesterfield, who allegedly commissioned one. It is typically associated with mid-19th-century Victorian styles, flourishing with the development of coil-spring technology in the 1830s. Plush and plump, the Chesterfield sofa—like leather club chairs and wingback chairs—is an article of furniture that speaks of sumptuous libraries and gentlemen’s lounges. Although somewhat archaic now, the term became generic and was applied to almost any sofa or couch in the Midwest and upstate New York. It was popular enough so that, when convertible sofa-beds were first developed, they were called “Davenport beds.” The Kroehler Company of Naperville, Illinois, was the first to patent a sofa with hidden mattress and springs in 1909 though earlier versions may well have existed. A Davenport also references a type of small, portable English desk and the term largely references the desk style in modern terms. The earlier, dating from the 1830s, is a circular sofa, divided into three sections that share a single tall back in the center. The later, which emerged during the Second Empire, consists of three connected armchairs in a pinwheel pattern like the example shown here. Both types are often ornately carved, with tufted upholstery that uses the coil-spring technology so dear to Victorian hearts and furniture styles alike. This style is sometimes aptly called a conversational sofa, and may erroneously be identified as a tête-a-tête which only seats two people. Developed in the early 1800s, the méridienne (pronounced may-rid-ee-ehn) is typically associated with English Regency and late French Empire, though its popularity continued throughout the 19th century and beyond. The récamier is a variation. These are sometimes referenced as Grecian daybeds or fainting couches as well. Developed in France in the 1790s, it was named for Madame Récamier, a Parisian hostess and style-setter pictured reclining on one in a framed portrait. It is characteristic of French Directoire/Empire, English Regency, and American Federal styles. The méridienne is a related style. These are sometimes referenced as Grecian daybeds or fainting couches more generically. Developed during the early 19th century, the tête-a-tête (pronounced tet-ah-tet) is usually associated with ornate Victorian furniture styles and often uses the coil-spring technology developed in the 1830s. Mid-Century Modern versions were also made by designers Salvador Dali and Edward Wormley. These are sometimes called a confidante, vis-à-vis (face-to-face) , or gossip couch, all names suggesting private chats. The spindled backs of the settees come in various shapes, similar to those of the chair (sack-back, bow-back, etc.) Straight low-backs seem to have been especially common. Another typical variation was the arrow-back, which refers not to the shape of the back but the spindles themselves, which were tapered and flattened at the end to suggest arrows. Windsor settees were often made of different types of wood and so they are usually painted—sometimes quite elaborately, not unlike some fancier side chairs. They seem to be primarily an American form, developing in the 1750s most probably in Philadelphia.
