swan-neck sofa
The Rices
inherited a few years back. I belive it is of English origin. It is in
excellent condition with original finish and upholstery materials except
for outer fabric. Any information as to its value, manufacturer, place
of manufacture or date of manufacture would be appreciated.
Ronnie McKinley
>I am looking for any information about a mahogany swan-neck sofa I
>inherited a few years back. I belive it is of English origin.
A swan-neck sofa? .... what in the name of L is a swan-neck sofa when it's at
home?
You're making that name up :-)
Ronnie
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Carol Millar
I am guessing that they mean the sofas that have the wooden arms ending in a swan
neck with the head of the swan curved down against the sofa. They had some
popularity in the US in the 20's and 30's but I have no idea if they were
rebirths of an earlier style or if they originated in England. Does the style I
described ring any bells? If not, the poster can be reasonably sure they did not
originate in the UK or you would know it.
I have heard them referred to as sofas with swan neck arms, but not as a swan
neck sofa. I can only envision the discomfort of a sofa shaped like a swan
neck.:)
Carol
Ronnie McKinley
>Ronnie,
>
>I am guessing that they mean the sofas that have the wooden arms ending in a swan
>neck with the head of the swan curved down against the sofa.
>
> Does the style I described ring any bells?
Sorry Carol no bells or whistles. :)
You mean an actual carved swan? (head and neck) or the profile of the arm just
simulating a swan/swan neck.? .... or does the poster really mean a double
ended couch with arms similar to that found on a chaise longue (only arm per
end in the case of the couch) with a tight scroll arm? ~ with two arms the
"double end" couch does indeed take on the shape of a swan-neck drop handle.
It would be a rather weird looking couch if it was like the swan-neck pediment
of a "Grandfather clock" (curved broken pediment in the middle of the couch)
... don't know, it's just such a silly name I had to ask :-)
Ronnie
=====
Carol Millar
The rounded wooden arm piece (mounted on the top of the short arm at the end of the
sofa, or sometimes just extending out from it, and extends out past the sofa slightly
(resembling the neck of a swan). It then curves in and down (sort of in a reversed S)
with the end of the rounded piece enlarging and being carved into a birds head. This
end usually rests on the edge of the sofa along side the seat cushion. One on each end
of the sofa (or chair). On some I have seen the head just stick out a little from the
sofa.(instead of resting on it)
There are probably many variations of this theme. The most desirable ones I have seen
are nudes, not swans. Gee I wonder why. I think the nudes are generally older and
probably more likely to have antique predecessors.
I wish I had a picture of the swan neck arms then it might be a little easier to
describe. Hopefully you can figure out what I mean. Also, the only ones I have seen
(and there have been many) have just the shape of the birds head with a circle carved
for the eye, and a slot along the edge of the beak, not really "carved" as in
feathers, detailed eyes, etc.
Carol
Ronnie McKinley
>Now you are really testing my describing abilities (or lack thereof.)
>
No not your fault Carol, just I can't visualize this. Thanks for trying but
I've been rather dim most of the day so it's probably just me, perhaps it will
all dawn on me tomorrow. :) if anyone has a picture of what you describe I
would be pleased to see it.
The only reference I can find to a "Swan - Chair - Sofa" is a modernist object
designed by Arne Jacobsen for the SAS Hotel in Copenhagen in 1958 I recognized
this piece (of S&*!e) OK ~ although, I never knew it was called a "Swan
Chair" well at least I learnt something. :)
Ronnie
=====
Swan Sofas R not Us Inc.,
=====================
Esengo
>No not your fault Carol, just I can't visualize this. Thanks for trying but
>I've been rather dim most of the day so it's probably just me, perhaps it
>will
>all dawn on me tomorrow. :) if anyone has a picture of what you describe I
>would be pleased to see it.
>
Victorian...upholstered sofa with wooden arms (probably Walnut) that extend out
and down and have carved swan heads (or is it geese?). Chairs also found with
carved dolphin arms and I think I even saw a chair with dogs for feet.
Another dealer purchased it for alot of money because she had that kind of dog.
That's how dog people are, right? :-) Fayette
Ronnie McKinley
> Chairs also found with
>carved dolphin arms and I think I even saw a chair with dogs for feet.
>Another dealer purchased it for alot of money because she had that kind of dog.
> That's how dog people are, right? :-)
Fayette dog's feet aren't a problem, in fact the cabriole leg shape was based
on the legs of certain four-footed animals dating back to the ancient Chinese
and by the Greeks. The cab leg when introduced in England in the early 18th c
originally terminated in a hoof foot. The "carved dolphins" aren't a problem
either, find lots of furniture with carved dolphin themes, the swans, however,
are still bugging me :)
Ronnie
=====
Carol Millar
the bidding.
I think the only reason it is identified as a swan as opposed to a goose or duck is
because of the curved line of the neck that makes up the arm of the sofa or chair.
From the carving alone it could probably be a duck=billed platypus. :)
Carol
Esengo wrote:
> Ronnie writes to Carol:
> >No not your fault Carol, just I can't visualize this. Thanks for trying but
> >I've been rather dim most of the day so it's probably just me, perhaps it
> >will
> >all dawn on me tomorrow. :) if anyone has a picture of what you describe I
> >would be pleased to see it.
> >
> Well, Carol describes it fairly well...if it is what I think it is....American
> Victorian...upholstered sofa with wooden arms (probably Walnut) that extend out
> and down and have carved swan heads (or is it geese?). Chairs also found with