Hello, and thanks for checking out the listing! We have a great old Wicker Patio Settee for sale that was manufactured in the 1920s-1930s and has been in my family since the 1950s. We’re going to keep the chair that is pictured but would be open to offers if anyone would like the set. It’s been out of the weather and is still in great condition, and we recently got it appraised online by Richard Saunders of Saunders Appraisal Service in Savannah, Georgia. Here is what he determined. Full length wicker settee handmade of Fibre. Classic Art Deco design. Closely woven upper back and arms. Art Deco diamond/arrow design woven into central backrest. Criss-cross latticework at mid-back and under armrests. Closely woven skirting with two-ply latticework trim. Wooden framework to accommodate three upholstered cushions. Original cushions employ wire frames, springs and horse hair stuffing. All three were recovered several years ago. The latticework and diamond design woven into the back is a hallmark design element of the Art Deco style. After the opening of the”L’Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs” in Paris, furniture manufacturers began producing modern styles in the United States during the 1920s. While the “modern” style was not immediately embraced by the American public, by the mid-twenties progressive wicker furniture manufacturers were eager to appeal to the new consumer; a younger generation who felt 1920s Manhattan was the nations style pulse and the skyscraper was considered its inspirational symbol. These modern wicker designs mirrored the Art Deco lines of everything from architecture to toasters, furniture to jewelry. While the settee does not carry a manufacturers label, the overall style of the design leads this appraiser to believe that this piece was made by the Ypsilanti Reed Furniture Company of Ionia, Michigan. This opinion is based on forty years of experience in the field and past research of dozens of original wicker trade catalogs including Ypsilanti catalogs. Fibre: a man-made chemically treated and tightly twisted paper called “fibre”. The better quality fibre pieces like yours had a wire inner core to further strengthen the piece at stress points in the design. The framework is made of ash. Minor flaking of white paint in several areas. Good structural condition with wooden frame and metal braces at top of legs connecting to the underside of the seat. Note: All appraisals in this document are based on “as-is” condition. 68″ in length, 37″ high, 32 deep measured from the incline of the back to the front edge. Those are all of the facts and background as determined by Mr. Yes, the chair has undergone many coats of paint as the trends changed over the years, and it is currently back to basic white. Other than the areas missing paint, the sofa has a small hole on the right arm as you look directly at the sofa. It could actually be repaired with wire and a little bit of crafting skill. It doesn’t affect the structural integrity of the piece, however. The front skirt at the middle leg has also come away from the leg, and that can be wired back on. This set was built for the long haul. We did not have the chair appraised, but it’s in the same cosmetic condition of the settee, and had a repair to the right leg, looking directly at the chair. The leg had snapped but the fibre weave held it together. I drilled it and inserted a 1/4 length of stainless steel rod with bondo adhesive, and it’s solid again. That will need a little touch up, too. The chair measures 41.5″ tall, 31″ armrest-to-armrest, 27″ deep to seat backrest tip, 13″ seat base height, 17.5 seat height with the cushion. It has all of the same attributes as the settee. Again, these pieces were crafted to get used and to be passed down through the generations. The structure of the framework is intricate and extremely secure, and the cushions were meant for long, comfortable porch snoozes. These cushions have their own elaborate network of trusses, steel wire frames, springs and horsehair, and we recovered them about 15 – 20 years ago. With all of that structure in a cushion you would think that it wouldn’t be comfortable, but they made them like that instead of soft with no support and it treats you like the best mattress would. This and the depth of the seat make for the spot that everyone wants to fight over after a long day in the sun and water. We’ve had our fun with the set and would like it to get used by a family for many more years! We’re conveniently located right off of the Northeast Corridor’s I-95 in Yardley, PA 19067, by the PA/NJ border, minutes from the PA/NJ Turnpikes, Rte 1, I-195 and 295, etc. This item is in the category “Home & Garden\Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living\Patio & Garden Furniture\Patio & Garden Furniture Sets”. The seller is “rbrase1″ and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Color: White
- Seating Capacity: 3 + 1
- Material: Wicker/Fibre
- Brand: Ypsilanti Reed
- Type: Sofa
