Pair of “Knole” settees with original braided fringes. The adjustable iron ratchets marked “Comyn Ching & Co. London”. This rare pair of settees are very closely modelled on the ca: 1640 sofa at Knole House, Sevenoaks, Kent and appear to date ca: 1875-1900. Most later copies lack the turned arm supports covered in fabric. Castle Street, Long Acre, London; upholsterers, cabinet ironmongers (fl.1878) The firm advertised as upholsterers and cabinet ironmongers in The Furniture Gazette, 23 March 1878. Census records 1841-1881 show Comyn Ching as working in the ironmongery and gas fitting trade only. London Post Office Directories list the firm as engineers (ventilation) at 54, 56 & 58 Castle Street, 22 & 23 St Little Andrew Street & 3 Little White [Lion] Street, all W.C. (1880) as wholesale ironmongers at 3 Little White Lion Street in 1885 and as gas https://bifmo.furniturehistorysociety.org/ent ry/comyn-ching-co-1878

All elements intact although the seat webbing requires some attention. Retaining original, well worn and faded, red velvet upholstery