Summary:
• Circa: 1900
• Period: Edwardian
• Provenance: England, UK
• Wood: Solid mahogany
• Style: Chinoiserie
• Rectangular frame
• Twin panel cane walls – sign of quality
• 3 Piece bergere suite
• Profuse coloured carvings
• Painted & gold leaf chinoiserie
• Shell & foliate carvings
• 1x Three seat couch
• 2x Armchairs
• Pale grey structured cotton weave upholstery
• Original cane work
• No damage or holes to cane work (rare to see)
• Ball-and-claw feet
• Sprung base
• Original polish & patination
• Extremely comfortable
• Exhibition quality
• Excellent condition
• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*
• Free 14 days UK returns policy
Description:
This is a stunning quality antique English Edwardian chinoiserie three-piece mahogany bergere cane suite, circa 1900, in excellent condition. The suite comprises of a three-seat couch with two armchairs and is constructed of top quality solid mahogany. This Bergere suite is resplendent in profuse chinoiserie to the frame, arms and back of each piece. The couch boasts a shaped top rail with two shell pediments, flanked by scroll carvings, as well as coloured chinoiserie in floral and geometric patterns. Below, the back features three cane work panels, divided by vertical splats which display spectacular, highly detailed chinoiserie scenes, in colours of gold, greens, reds and greys. Elegant shaped arms with scroll ends with acanthus leaf carvings support the back. The arms also boast further chinoiserie, depicting figures, pagodas, mountains and a dove. The arms are joined to shaped supports, which continue the display of colourful chinoiserie. The front of the couch frame is decorated with acanthus leaf carvings, picked out in gold. The couch rests on short cabriole legs with shell carvings at the knees, resting on ball-and-claw feet, which are also decorated in gold. The design and decorations on the couch are reflected in the armchairs, with the exception of having single top rail pediments and back splats, instead of two.
The suite is upholstered in a pale grey structured cotton-weave patterned fabric, finished with matching piping and braiding to the chair frames. We believe that the seat cushions are made from foam; and the back and the six bolster cushions are most likely filled with kapok stuffing (or equivalent material). The cushion covers feature zips so that the top layers can be removed if they need to be cleaned.
If you would like us to reupholster the suite in a fabric of your choice, we estimate it would cost around £800 to carry out this work.
The suite features a firm sprung base below, which makes the suite extremely comfortable. The suite seats up to five people comfortably. This is a very comfortable suite due to the deep design of the frame. Importantly, the suit retains all its original cane work, which is in excellent original condition. There are no holes in the cane work (it is rare to see a bergere suite where the cane work is in excellent condition). The suite is of good seat height; it does not sit too low, like other bergere suites you see in the market place.
This item would look superb in a variety of rooms from the living room to the conservatory or orangery. The suite would certainly grace any home and is a great investment as it is extremely functional. So don’t miss out on your chance to own a lovely piece of furniture.
This suite features a rich brown mahogany colour. As it boasts the original polish, it has a fantastic colour and patination; this can only be achieved through age and the years of care and cleaning they have received.
Chinoiserie Provenance:
Chinoiserie is the European interpretation and imitation of Chinese and East Asian artistic traditions, especially in the decorative arts, garden design, architecture, literature, theatre, and music. The aesthetic of Chinoiserie has been expressed in different ways depending on the region. Its acknowledgement derives from the current of Orientalism, which studied Far East cultures from a historical, philological, anthropological, philosophical and religious point of view. First appearing in the 17th century, this trend was popularized in the 18th century due to the rise in trade with China and East Asia. As a style, chinoiserie is related to the Rococo style. Both styles are characterized by exuberant decoration, asymmetry, a focus on materials, and stylized nature and subject matter that focuses on leisure and pleasure. Chinoiserie focuses on subjects that were thought by colonial-era Europeans to be typical of Chinese culture.
Though usually understood as a European style, chinoiserie was a global phenomenon. Local versions of chinoiserie were developed in India, Japan, Persia, and particularly Latin America.
There were many reasons why chinoiserie gained such popularity in Europe in the 18th century. Europeans had a fascination with the exotic East due to their increased, but still restricted, access to new cultures through expanded trade with East Asia, especially China. The limited number of European first-hand experiences of East Asia and their restricted circulation created a level of mystification and misinformation that contributed to the mystification of East Asian cultures
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinoiserie
Three Seat Couch Dimensions:
External Height (top rail) = 79.5cm or 31¼” or 2ft 7¼”
External Height (top of cushions) = 87cm or 34½” or 2ft 10½”
External Width = 171.2cm or 67½” or 5ft 7½”
External Depth = 84cm or 33” or 2ft 9”
Seat Height = 45.5cm or 17⅞” or 1ft 5⅞”
Seat Width = 160.2cm or 63” or 5ft 3”
Seat Depth = 57cm or 22½” or 1ft 10½”
Seat Depth (without back cushions) = 66cm or 26” or 2ft 2”
Arm Height = 58.5cm or 23” or 1ft 11”
Back Height (from sprung base) = 53cm or 20⅞” or 1ft 8⅞”
Armchair Dimensions:
External Height (top rail) = 80cm or 31½” or 2ft 7½”
External Height (top of cushions) = 88.5cm or 34⅞” or 2ft 10⅞”
External Width = 71.5cm or 28⅛” or 2ft 4⅛”
External Depth = 78cm or 30¾” or 2ft 6¾”
Seat Height = 43cm or 16⅞” or 1ft 4⅞”
Seat Width = 60.3cm or 23¾” or 1ft 11¾”
Seat Depth = 60cm or 23⅝” or 1ft 11⅝”
Seat Depth (without back cushions) = 64.5cm or 25⅜” or 2ft 1⅜”
Arm Height = 58.9cm or 23⅛” or 1ft 11⅛”
Back Height (from sprung base) = 52.5cm or 20⅝” or 1ft 8⅝”
Condition Report:
This suite is in excellent condition. The suite boasts its original polish, which has been cleaned and revived in our workshops. Nominal old use marks to the leading edges of the frame, as well as some general wear to the paintwork, but nothing significant considering its age. There are no breaks to the back or arms of the suite. The suite retains its original cane work, which is in excellent original condition, with no damage or holes. It is rare to see Bergere suites, which have their cane work in perfect condition, with no damage. The frame is also solid with no breaks to the arms or back of the suite. The upholstery is in good clean condition, with no signs of fading, wear and tear, or marks. The upholstery is therefore clean.
As mahogany frame boasts the original polish, it has a fantastic colour and patination; this can only be achieved through age and the years of care and cleaning they have received. This suite is well constructed, solid in joint and ready to use.
Terms & Conditions:
Before you purchase this item, please ensure you have read and are in agreement with our Terms & Conditions of Sale. If you have any questions regarding our Terms & Conditions of Sale, please contact us to discuss them, before purchasing this item.
Ref. Bergere Suite 19