Rare Knoll Sofa Couch Loveseat w Original Ties Knole green fabric. Springs and cushions are perfect. Drop arms are in excellent condition. Underside material on seat cushions are slightly faded. Appears to have been professionally reupholstered in this emerald green quilted material. Measures 71″ long x 41″ deep and 32 high (to top of finials). Message with any questions. Can be picked up in Rochester NY. Cross posted to local market also. It is named after the huge pile in Kent, England, Knole Castle, where the original is housed. Queen Elizabeth I gave the castle to her cousin Thomas Sackville and Sackville descendants still live there. Prior to the Knole, sofas as we know them did not exist. Rather benches were simply pushed up against the walls for back support and to avoid drafts. So the Knole sofa, when ordered in the early 1600′s, made news. That first Knole was commissioned as a royal throne and was more of a two seater settee rather than a sofa. It is characterized by a deep seat and high back with arms the same height as the back. The arms are hinged making them adjustable. They could drop down to make the settee somewhat like a chaise to accommodate a royal snooze. It is said that the high back and arms of the Knole sofa were designed to better keep out the drafty cold found in medieval castles. Others speculate that those high backs and arms became popular because they served to shield sexy Tudor lovers from prying eyes! Later versions of the Knole typically have finials at the top of the arms and back which are held together with a heavy braided rope, and decorative tassels. When the rope is loosened the sides drop down. Today’s antique Knole sofas are often from the Renaissance Revival period of the Victorian era in the late 19th and early 20th century. They continue to look great in traditional interiors. But it is not just longevity which makes a classic. When a furniture form so captivates the world of design, it is inevitable that variations stemming from the original are created. A design’s ability to adapt to changing needs and tastes, while still recognizable as derivative from the original form. This item is in the category “Antiques\Furniture\Sofas & Chaises”. The seller is “shoebeedew” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Antique: Yes
- Color: Green
- Material: 100% Polyester
- Item Length: 71 in
- Brand: Knoll International
- Type: Sofa
- Seating Capacity: 3
- Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
- Item Height: 32 in
- Style: Mid-Century Modern
- Features: Drop Arm
- Time Period Manufactured: Post-1950
- Item Width: 41 in