SHOP BY ROOM
Antique Louis XV Style Giltwood Bench, Original Springs & Horsehair Seat — Ready for Reupholstery
A carved giltwood bench (banquette) in the Louis XV style, raised on four cabriole legs with a shaped, carved apron of floral and rocaille motifs, and scrolled open arms. The seat retains its original interior construction — "assise à ressorts et crin," a coil-sprung, horsehair-stuffed seat, the hallmark of quality period French upholstery — currently finished only to the muslin (toile) stage rather than a final show fabric. This makes it a strong candidate for a buyer or designer who wants to select their own finish fabric over sound, original underlying construction, rather than inheriting someone else's fabric choice.
Overall: 30" long x 20" deep x 24" high.
The gilt finish shows extensive wear, with gesso visible through the gold in many areas across the legs, arms, and apron — a well-worn, honest surface . One arm bolster shows a tear in the muslin with the horsehair stuffing visible .
Condition: structurally sound frame with no breaks or looseness noted in the legs or joints; gilt loss is heavy but consistent with genuine age and handling; one torn arm bolster with exposed stuffing. Sold as found, in muslin, ready for final upholstery.
There's a wonderful graphic drama to this one: a black japanned coal helmet scuttle with gilt laurel swags, scrolling borders, and a central roundel of cherubs playing with a bird and a flower urn. It's the kind of Victorian fireside piece that was made to be looked at as much as used.
Flip it over and there's a diamond-shaped mark stamped right into the base reading Beldray, a real English tin and metalware manufacturer, alongside "Longcliffe."
Construction and design notes:
- Helmet-form black japanned tole body, scooped front, pointed sloped back
- Two riveted iron carrying handles
- Gilt laurel swags, scrollwork borders, and a central cherub roundel
- Diamond embossed maker's mark on the base
Label / mark transcription (exact):
Diamond-shaped embossed mark (base): "BELDRAY / LONGCLIFFE / BELDRAY"
Note: a matching black japanned tole coal bin with the same gilt cherub-roundel and laurel decoration, carrying a separate "Parnall & Sons Ltd" Bristol retailer's plaque, is listed as a companion piece — see the coal bin listing.
Flat measurements: height 24 in (61 cm); base approximately 10 in diameter, tapering (25.4 cm).
Sold as-is: there's extensive flaking and paint loss across several panels, scattered white speckling and some larger bare patches down to the metal. The gilt decoration still reads beautifully despite this, and the body and handles feel structurally sound throughout.
A great find for a collector of English tole ware or fireside antiques, or anyone wanting a bold black-and-gilt piece with real history and a legible maker's mark. A matching coal bin, decorated identically, is also available, see that listing if you'd like the pair. Origin: England. Era: Victorian, 19th century (a stylistic read; Beldray's documented history as an English metalware maker supports this general period, though the specific decade isn't independently confirmed). Materials: painted tin (tole) with gilt decoration, iron handles. Care: dust gently, keep away from moisture, and please don't touch up the paint losses yourself, a conservator's opinion is worth getting first if you want to address them at all.
Pair of Antique French Silk Passementerie Tassel Tiebacks, Sage & Gold, Chateau Find
A matched pair of single-tassel passementerie curtain tiebacks in sage green silk cord with woven gold banding, each cord gathered at a wrapped ball knot before terminating in a single tassel with a full cut-fringe skirt. Per the seller, this pair was sourced from a French château estate; this provenance is presented as the seller's stated sourcing information rather than a documented or independently verified chain of ownership.
Each tassel: approximately 9" long, with a fringe length of approximately 5". Cord: approximately 70" as displayed in its looped, doubled configuration.
Condition: one tieback's cord shows a section that has become detached along its length; this is disclosed plainly and shown in photos. Beyond this, general soft age-appropriate wear is consistent with a genuine 19th century textile. Sold as a pair, as found, no restoration or repair carried out.