chesterfield And horsehair

[fp2161]

Hey alge,

for £ 3,500 you are unlikely to find any large chesterfield in aniline leather with a traditional construction in horsehair with a couple of assorted footstools (like a 4-seater- 240cm/250cm).

I am expecting a pricetag between £5,000 and 10K overall depending on different factors. I met an upholsterer in France today. My main issue with French upholsterer is that they are trying to build a chesterfield with the same kind of material they would use for a continental/modern sofa: fairly thick leathers(1.4mm) in bullhides or calf, with one tone, grainy hides, so it hints at a fairly 'stiff' comfort and very little aging of the hide over time... Then you dont get no different styles either...

Finally, between France and the UK, I have a fairly good transporter, its not that expensive in the end, so I am all right.

Have you hears about Fleming and Howland? They are quite pricey, though their sofas look really goos (on their webpages at least). They are claiming that they designed the first leather chesterfield in 1780...

I do not know of any other 'canonical' maker in the UK (especially in the London area), so I am happy for you to provide me with any names!!!

[alge]

for £ 3,500 you are unlikely to find any large chesterfield in aniline leather with a traditional construction in horsehair with a couple of assorted footstools (like a 4-seater- 240cm/250cm).

:D Exactly.


I took a look at the Flemming and howland site again, despite a few descriptive oxymoron's which always occur when the copy is done by a non upholsterer the content looks pretty genuine. As for claiming that they made the first Leather Chesterfield, that's a bold one. I'm not certain the origin of the Chesterfield is as traceable as say the Knole, It would make an extremely interesting article for our Associations Trade journal if they are and have evidence to substantiate the claim. All of the earliest chesterfieldesque sofas I've worked on (probably mid - late Georgian)were fabric with a horse hair squab seat pad construction, the backs tend to detach from the back of the arms for upholstering(this is unlike the later Victorian heavily buttoned Chesterfields) and the frames contained pine elements. To be honest I've not done much research in this area of sofa all my experience is anecdotal.

Getting back to F.H. website and your query the top end sofas shown in the images do look really well made and dyed, If you invest in them they probably wont need any attention this side of your lifetime, so if your looking for a sofa to pass on even if the hide has degraded the rest will be serviceable.

Canonical - I'm happy to admit i had to check with my wife as to what that meant (she is a historian and collections manager for the national trust) and we are still slightly uncertain as to your meaning mainly due to context. Do you mean (as i understand the term) with reference to the cannon of design and their [F.H.] upholding(no pun intended) the integrity of the original concept/ethos thus producing the real deal rather than an influenced by type of sofa. If so then probably yes i think that is most likely a fair comment.

Alex

pls note Upholding is one form of the earliest known term for upholstery in the English language

[fp2161]

I would mean canonical as in 'most recommendable', closest to the real deal, 'classic high end' as a rule of thumb.

e.g. I read a friend saying 'the canonical store for photo in NYC is B&H'
does this make sense to you?

[alge]

sorry i don't really get that example but yes on screen they appear to producing very credible products at a realistic price.

I will reply to your p.m with some additional advice in a day or so.

Alex

[fp2161]

Alex:

thank you for your help, I can't wait!

Have a good Sunday,