Settee & Canapé

At a glance

• Family: Sofas, Settees & Daybeds
• Periods most often found: Period Louis XV canapés date from 1730 to 1770 and Louis XVI from 1770 to 1790, but most on the market are 19th- and 20th-century revivals from 1850 to 1950, which are well made and practical.
• Typical price: about $2,000; range $600 to $8,000 and more for exceptional pieces
• What drives value: Carved frame, original gilding or paint, upholstery cost

What it is

The French canapé is a small upholstered sofa for two or three people, made in the same styles as the fauteuils and bergères it accompanied. Louis XV canapés have curving, carved frames with flowers and shells; Louis XVI canapés are rectilinear with fluted legs and rosettes at the corners. The English settee and the American loveseat follow similar forms with different carving traditions.

How to identify and date it

The frame is everything. Look underneath at the webbing: an antique frame in beech or walnut shows many rows of old tack holes from successive upholsteries, hand-cut joints held with pegs, and corner blocks. Carving should be crisp but softened by age and handling; modern copies often have deep, regular cuts. Original paint or gilding, even worn, is worth more than a fresh finish. Budget for upholstery: re-covering a canapé properly with traditional horsehair or modern foam can cost as much as the frame itself.

Periods and styles

Period Louis XV canapés date from 1730 to 1770 and Louis XVI from 1770 to 1790, but most on the market are 19th- and 20th-century revivals from 1850 to 1950, which are well made and practical.

How much is it worth?

On the US retail market, most settee & canapé examples ask around $2,000. Simple or worn pieces start near $600, while documented, signed or exceptional examples can pass $8,000. The main value drivers are: carved frame, original gilding or paint, upholstery cost. These are indicative ranges, not an appraisal; see our price guide for French antiques for the method.

Questions buyers ask: antique settee value. The answer depends on the points below, which are worth checking before you compare prices.

Before you buy

• Sit on it and check for movement
• Inspect legs for breaks and repairs
• Look at the tack holes
• Ask about the stuffing
• Measure seat depth, which is often shallower than modern sofas

Living with it

A canapé in a linen or ticking cover brings French elegance to a living room without the bulk of a modern sofa; it also works at the foot of a bed or in an entry hall.