Fantastic Needlepoint Upholstered Venetian or Italian Louis XV Style Settee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This enchanting 19th-century Italian settee—almost certainly of Venetian origin—is a superb example of the richly decorative seating furniture produced in Northern Italy during the mid-to-late 1800s. Crafted around the 1870s, the piece combines a beautifully carved and shaped wooden frame with extraordinary hand-worked needlepoint upholstery, depicting classical and pastoral scenes surrounded by floral and foliate motifs. Its sweeping, serpentine back and gracefully scrolled arms reflect the unmistakable Venetian flair for theatricality, elegance, and lyrical movement. The upholstery—executed entirely in hand-stitched needlepoint—features an evocative central figural tableau portraying a romanticized landscape scene, flanked by abundant urns overflowing with flowers and scrolling acanthus. Even the seat is adorned with intricate tapestry-woven patterns rendered in soft, muted tones of blue, sage, cream, ochre, and plum. The natural wear, minor fading, and small areas of age-related needlepoint deterioration are consistent with its 150-year history and contribute significantly to its antique charm. These minor damages are easily repairable by a skilled textile conservator but may also be appreciated as authentic markers of age that enhance its decorative character. The carved wooden frame is finished in a warm, gently worn gilt and gesso surface with traces of original polychrome. The cabriole legs, scalloped apron, and scrollwork along the crest and arms highlight the settee’s Rococo and Venetian Baroque influences. Nailhead trim, applied by hand, outlines the silhouette and provides a refined finishing touch typical of high-quality Italian upholstery work of the period. Perfect as a statement piece in a salon, entry hall, bedroom, or gallery, this settee offers an irresistible blend of Italian artistry, textile history, and sculptural presence. Its size, form, and craftsmanship make it equally suitable for collectors of Continental decorative arts and designers seeking an authentic Old-World focal point with a sense of romance and narrative depth. A remarkable survival from 19th-century Italy, this Venetian needlepoint settee...
1870s Louis XV Antique Italian Loveseats
Walnut
