Victorian chair.......Who and How Much?

[ghopper1924]

Hey all:

Just scored this chair at an auction. My feeling is that it's either Pottier & Stymus or John Jeliff, and dates to about 1860-1870. Based on a few chairs I've seen on E-Bay, I'm leaning more towards P & S.

I can't tell if it was once part of a parlor set or if it was simply designed as an armchair.

Love the "Brittania" heads as hand rests. That kind of craftsmanship is gone gone gone....

It measures 36" high X 36" deep. Believe it or not its quite comfortable.

So two questions: Pottier & Stymus or Jeliff?

And how much would you expect to pay for this, if you were interested?

How much to insure?


OK, that's 3 questions.

[Pelady]

Are the wheels replacements and when was it last Reupholstered?

[mart]

P&S but I have not checked current prices lately,, My reasoning says about $1500. but the market is down on Victorian furniture you know !! 2K for insurance.  Will check more  tomorrow !!

[ghopper1924]

Are the wheels replacements and when was it last Reupholstered?

The wheels are original. The upholstery is velvet and in good shape, so I would say its not too old. Definitely not original or even close, but the color and tufting are historically sympathetic.

[KC]

BEAUTIFUL PIECE!  A keeper!

The market WILL come back up and you will be way ahead!

[ghopper1924]

BEAUTIFUL PIECE!  A keeper!

The market WILL come back up and you will be way ahead!

There's that southern charm!

Thanks for the helpful comments, Mart and KC. Lets hope the market comes back up again, and that I'm here to see it!   

[ghopper1924]

P&S but I have not checked current prices lately,, My reasoning says about $1500. but the market is down on Victorian furniture you know !! 2K for insurance.  Will check more  tomorrow !!

Any further ideas, Mart?

[Rauville]

Nice chair! My parents had a pair of Victorian chairs that they always called the "His and Hers" chairs. Similar to yours with the carving, but slightly different in style. The "His" was taller with closed arms, while the "Hers" had a shorter back by a couple inches and open arms along with a lower seat.
I cleaned out their house in 2006, and had a two day auction. At that time I believe those chairs sold for about $800 ea.

PS: I don't have a photo of the chairs, but the link below will show you the house they came out of, before my folks purchased them in the 1960's.
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/56/9b/b5/569bb53b420d3910327ac09e4b9b4aaf.jpg

[KC]

I have always heard these referred to as Victorian Parlor chairs.  There was a Gentleman's Chair and a Ladie's Chair. 

The settees/sofas are still demanding $2500+ pricing.  I would gander that you should insure them for $2 - 2,500 for the matched set if in good condition.

Are there any maker's marks on it?  This article might help!
http://rarevictorian.com/shop/?site=John-Jelliff

[ghopper1924]

Thanks, Rauville and KC.  That house is AMAZING. The chair would go perfectly in there.

Unfortunately, I only have the one chair. It seems large to be part of a parlor set, but it could be.

From the comments, I'd guess that I'd expect to pay about $1K for another one.  Insurance would be at $1.5K.  I go back and forth between Jelliff and Pottier and Stymus, but due to the overall shape I'm going with P & S.

The help is much appreciated!!!

[ghopper1924]

Great article on Jelliff by the way. Looks like anything after 1860 would be by his shop, but not him, since he retired in that year.  Good info!!

No maker's marks that I can see. There might be something on the frame, but I won't know until the chair needs reupholstering, and that probably won't be for awhile.

[mart]

Jellif used much less padding on chair arms !! And the padded areas were smaller !!    P&S numbered their pieces with each piece being in sequence !!  1001,, 1002, 1003 ect !!  Don`t think this is a P&S made but is in their style !!  Of course would be better to see without the upholstery !!  P&S was out of business by 1920 !!  May have been a shot in the dark by the son !!  Re-make of earlier chairs !!

[jacon4]

Hmmmmmm, I dunno about that price for this chair plus it's not marked by Jellif or P&S, at best an "attributed to". On the east coast USA, be lucky to get a couple hundred if that much, less at auction.

[mart]

Maybe,, but there is still the rest of the country  !!  Victorian is down overall ,, but wait a few years !!  No  hurry !!

[jacon4]

Yeah, that's true, i was speaking of right now. Kinda grim for antique furniture all the way around corner if one is looking to sell, naturally there are exceptions but victorian ain't one of them at the moment.