Tete-a-tet is a french word that means "head to head" or "private conversation"! It was a conversation piece while so many believe it had to do totally with suitors....it actually was for conversing. It helped support that time in history that you don't converse loudly but have a private conversation that not everybody and their mother could hear.
Originally these little numbers were called a "Confident" and made in the 18th Century. They were made with fine upholstery for use in parlors. In the 19th C. the Tete-a-tet evolved when the popularity grew and those that were not the "upper-crust" wanted to follow suit, the furniture was adapted to benches and wooden/wicker structures that would better suit the setting it was to be placed in and/or be available to the masses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U31uw6CVZuQThey not only made them double seaters, they even made them for 3! These larger versions generally were in the middle of a room or hotel lobby.
When those that were not the "upper-crust" wanted to follow suit, the furniture was adapted to benches and wooden/wicker structures that would better suit the setting it was to be placed in.
Example of a bench
They are still made today, but they have a totally different style/function - simply put, joined furniture.
Poll
