Empire Settees Photos

Empire settees have backs which are flat(ish) across the top and most often arms or end bolsters which are rounded. Legs are visible and angle toward the sofa ends (not vertical). Such sofas are also sometimes called Grecian settees and should not be confused with the asymmetrical versions.

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Gallery with sofa & Fresnel lens from New London lighthouse at New London Maritime Museum. New London, CT.Egyptian revival sofa by P.E. Guerin of New York at Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, CT.Sofa with various tables, chairs & decorative arts in New York period parlor at DAR Memorial Continental Hall. Washington, DC.Mahogany sofa by Thomas Nisbet of Saint John, NB at Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto, ON.
Gallery with sofa & Fresnel lens from New London lighthouse at New London Maritime Museum. New London, CT.Egyptian revival sofa by P.E. Guerin of New York at Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, CT.Sofa (c1820) with various tables, chairs & decorative arts in New York period parlor (1820s) at DAR Memorial Continental Hall. Washington, DC.Mahogany sofa (c1820-30) by Thomas Nisbet of Saint John, NB at Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto, ON.
Sofa possibly made with Duncan Phyfe in District of Columbia period parlor at DAR Memorial Continental Hall. Washington, DC.American sofa , President James Monroe's Executive Mansion Armchairs, & portrait of Andrew Jackson in Tennessee period parlor at DAR Memorial Continental Hall. Washington, DC.Vermont period parlor with quilt-making frame & sofa at DAR Memorial Continental Hall. Washington, DC.Sofa Catalunya restoration style at Museum of Decorative Arts. Barcelona, Spain.
Sofa (c1840) possibly made with Duncan Phyfe in District of Columbia period parlor (1814-20) at DAR Memorial Continental Hall. Washington, DC.American sofa (1820-35), President James Monroe's Executive Mansion Armchairs, & portrait of Andrew Jackson (c1830) in Tennessee period parlor at DAR Memorial Continental Hall. Washington, DC.Vermont period parlor (1840s) with quilt-making frame (c1870) & sofa (c1830) at DAR Memorial Continental Hall. Washington, DC.Sofa (1835-45) Catalunya restoration style at Museum of Decorative Arts. Barcelona, Spain.
Empire mahogany sofa in front parlor of Rotch-Jones-Duff House. New Bedford, MA.Parlor at Mayflower Society House. Plymouth, MA.Mirror over sofa at Rev. John Hale House. Beverly, MA.Sofa in parlor at Jackson County Marshall's House Museum. Independence, MO.
Empire mahogany sofa in front parlor of Rotch-Jones-Duff House. New Bedford, MA.Parlor at Mayflower Society House. Plymouth, MA.Mirror over sofa at Rev. John Hale House. Beverly, MA.Sofa (prior to Civil War) in parlor at Jackson County Marshall's House Museum. Independence, MO.
Settee from Mark Twain's Hartford, CT home at Mark Twain Memorial Shrine. MO.Entrance hall of Oaks House with horsehide couch from Abe Lincoln's law office. Jackson, MS.Sofa brought to Pierce marriage by Jane & used in the White House in Pierce Manse. Concord, NH.Flemish tapestry over sofa in Aspet North parlor at Saint-Gaudens NHS. Cornish, NH.
Settee from Mark Twain's Hartford, CT home at Mark Twain Memorial Shrine. MO.Entrance hall of Oaks House with horsehide couch from Abe Lincoln's law office. Jackson, MS.Sofa brought to Pierce marriage by Jane & used in the White House in Pierce Manse. Concord, NH.Flemish tapestry (17thC) over sofa in Aspet North parlor at Saint-Gaudens NHS. Cornish, NH.
Sitting area with settee in front room at Millard Fillmore House. East Aurora, NY.Floral pattern sofa & tea table in Mrs. Eastman's bedroom at Eastman House. Rochester, NY.American walnut Empire sofa at Memorial Art Gallery. Rochester, NY.Settee at Taft House NHS. Cincinnati, OH.
Sitting area with settee in front room at Millard Fillmore House. East Aurora, NY.Floral pattern sofa & tea table in Mrs. Eastman's bedroom at Eastman House. Rochester, NY.American walnut Empire sofa (19thC) at Memorial Art Gallery. Rochester, NY.Settee at Taft House NHS. Cincinnati, OH.
Caned settee under French reproduction mural wallpaper with Indian scene in Music Room at Bayou Bend. Houston, TX.Melodeon on settee in San Felipe Cottage at Sam Houston Park. Houston, TX.Sofa & candle tables in hall at Neill-Cochran House Museum. Austin, TX.Empire-style sofa with carved swans neck arm at Neill-Cochran House Museum. Austin, TX.
Caned settee under French reproduction mural wallpaper with Indian scene in Music Room at Bayou Bend. Houston, TX.Melodeon on settee in San Felipe Cottage at Sam Houston Park. Houston, TX.Sofa & candle tables in hall at Neill-Cochran House Museum. Austin, TX.Empire-style sofa (c1830-50) with carved swans neck arm (probably made in South in imitation of Northeastern style) at Neill-Cochran House Museum. Austin, TX.
Detail of carved swans neck on Empire-style sofa's back at Neill-Cochran House Museum. Austin, TX.Carved sofa at Earle-Napier-Kinnard House. Waco, TX.Second Empire style sofa prob. by John B Warner of Wallingford & Manchester, VT at Bennington Museum. Bennington, VT.Georgian mahogany staircase & Empire sofa at West Virginia Governor's Mansion. Charleston, WV.
Detail of carved swans neck on Empire-style sofa's back at Neill-Cochran House Museum. Austin, TX.Carved sofa at Earle-Napier-Kinnard House. Waco, TX.Second Empire style sofa (c1826-31) prob. by John B Warner of Wallingford & Manchester, VT at Bennington Museum. Bennington, VT.Georgian mahogany staircase & Empire sofa at West Virginia Governor's Mansion. Charleston, WV.
Sofa in ballroom at West Virginia Governor's Mansion. Charleston, WV.Empire style sofa at Craik-Patton House. Charleston, WV.Detail of carved sofa leg at Craik-Patton House. Charleston, WV.
Sofa in ballroom at West Virginia Governor's Mansion. Charleston, WV.Empire style sofa at Craik-Patton House. Charleston, WV.Detail of carved sofa leg at Craik-Patton House. Charleston, WV.

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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

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