Question on an antique couch

[chequer]

Wow, this looks like a great site... glad my aunt told me about it!

We have an antique couch/settee that we are trying to find out information on.  It was purchased at an auction years ago, but we have no information and don't have a clue where to start.  Any help would be hugely appreciated!

[mart]

I believe your sofa is a French Provincial camelback sofa probably made in the early 50`s !! Camelbacks were popular then !!  While not an antique yet it is an older piece and generally sofa`s like yours were in a formal living room rather than a "den" !!

[sapphire]

Welcome to forum, nephew 

Love the sofa!  Reminiscent of the old one in Aunt E's house.

Just curious......any sign that it may have originally had wheels? And am I seeing an additional cushion or extra padding across the back?

@ Mart, would the larger, rolled arms be an indication of the later manufacture? If I remember correctly most Victorian examples have rather narrow arms......making both sitting and leaning equally uncomfortable.  Appears to be oak??

[mart]

My mother had a camelback with the same style as this !!  Hers was from the 40`s and had the same rolled arms !! I think that it does indicate later manufacture as well as the style.  Her sofa had the casters you are asking about.

[chequer]

Thanks for the replies.  We had a local upholsterer/antique guy come by Monday and he said it's a grape-carved sofa from around the 1880s.  My fiancee was originally going to have it upholstered years ago, but this guy's brother told her that if she's ever going to sell it, not to bother getting it upholstered as it would be desirable as is and the cost of the work wouldn't give any real appreciation to the piece.

I'm not sure of the type of wood and didn't think to ask that (d'oh!).  That is an additional cushion in the back.  I'll look under the feet to see if there's any sign of old casters.

@sapphire  I really don't even remember the one Aunt E had 

[mart]

Did he take the dust cover off the bottom and check the construction? To say that its a grape carved piece, really says nothing other than what he can see and we can all see that !!  I agree that the reupholstering would add nothing to the value !!  When mother had hers done the cost (30 years ago) was well over a grand !! I don`t see 1880`s in this sofa !! Could be wrong though !!