A rare, late-18/early-19th century, Knole settee upholstered in 17th century, verdure tapestry

The rectangular, adjustable padded back and sides surmounted by turned finials.

The back and sides upholstered in fine, 17th century, verdure tapestry depicting a hamlet within a forest.

The seat with a single cushion upholstered in fine, 17th century verdure tapestry depicting. a dog barking at ducks on a lake. The edges faced with a fine, 18th century braid, fringe and tassels. The outside edges upholstered in newly, woven camlet. Standing on castors. The tapestry cleaned and conserved. The settee English, third quarter of the 19th century. The tapestry, Flemish, fourth quarter of the 17th century.

This is a fabulous example of an early, 'Knole' settee, and it is exceedingly rare to find such a large piece upholstered in 17th century verdure tapestry upholstery, particularly in such fine condition. In the mid-19th century, upholstered settees with high backs and adjustable sides were made for large country houses. These settees were named after a couch at Knole in Kent, the ancestral seat of the Sackvilles, which is thought to date from the first quarter of the 17th century. The original couch has a painted beech frame, and served the dual purpose of bed and settee, and is one of the earliest examples of English, upholstered, seat furniture. Even though it is named after the 17th century settee at Knole, the 19th century, Knole settee has a very different form as it was designed purely for comfortable, draught free, seating