This settee was purchased during a Saturday morning "estate and garage sale" run several months ago. It was being sold (along with a caned sided chaise not yet finished) by a woman who had bought a number of pieces internationally including these pieces that came from a London auction.
I paid a little more than I wanted to - I am a horrible cheapskate! I was drawn to the great brush motif which I have tried to "google" and otherwise learn more about with no success. I have thought any one of the following might in fact be what this motif is meant to signify - some have been suggested by others who have viewed the piece/carvings:
Artist Brushes
Barber Brushes
Harvest Sweepers (nearby pattern suggests wheat)
Torches
SO ... I really don't know what the pattern is supposed to be but do find it interesting.
I was so taken by the carvings and the generally great condition of the woodwork as well as the finish close to the carvings that I did not do "due diligence" checking out other aspects of the piece AND paid too much! The woodwork, other than the carvings, was in pretty bad condition with some repair work needed on the legs. It also required a totally new finish and I saw no way to save the original wood finish with pale gold gilding.
I refinished the woodwork with Annie Sloan "Old Ochre" which is a little more mellow and aged looking that "Old White". I did a coat of clear wax and finished with a coat of dark wax (applied with tooth brush to get into crevices). Finally, the fabulous "Lees" of Sun's Upholstery in Norcross, GA, reupholstered the piece in a neutral linen-cotton blend with slight texture.
TA DA ... I am very happy with the outcome! What do you think of it and give me your impression of the "brush" motiff?!
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