Antique French Empire Revival Mahogany Settee with Ormolu Mounts c.1880 Neoclassical Salon Sofa - Hawkins Antiques

Close Up of Ormolu Gilt Bronze Mounts on Antique French Empire Revival Mahogany Salon Sofa - Hawkins Antiques

Antique French Mahogany Neoclassical Settee showing Empire Revival Form and Ormolu Mount Details - Hawkins Antiques

Antique French Empire Revival Mahogany Settee with Ormolu Mounts - c.1880 Neoclassical Salon Sofa

Regular price: £1,300.00 GBP
Sale price: £1,300.00 GBP
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Description

Delivery

Condition

Dimensions

Why Hawkins Antiques?

Description

Overview

A fine French Empire Revival two-seat settee in mahogany with extensive ormolu mounts throughout. Circa 1880. The craftsmen of the 1880s who revived the Empire style did so with exceptional seriousness - this settee is not a simplified approximation of the Empire aesthetic, but a full and faithful expression of it. French seating furniture of this decorative quality and completeness is becoming genuinely difficult to source.

Key Features

French Empire Revival, circa 1880
Solid mahogany frame - broad, clean Empire profile throughout
Extensively mounted with original cast ormolu - palm fronds, anthemion, lion mask medallions, rosettes and acanthus sprays
Cream silk upholstery with Napoleonic bee and laurel wreath repeat motif
Open swept arms with ormolu-mounted terminals
Elegant sabre legs with ormolu acanthus mounts - correct to the Empire original
All mounts original and secure — no replacements or losses
Generous two-seat proportions — comfortable for practical use

Craftsmanship & Detail

The mahogany frame is broad, clean and authoritative. The back rail carries a procession of finely cast ormolu mounts - palm fronds, anthemion leaves, lion mask medallions and floral rosettes - applied with the regularity of a classical frieze. These are not decorative afterthoughts; they are the grammar of the piece. The same mounts continue to the seat rail and sabre legs, where acanthus sprays and pendant husks complete the ornamental programme with complete consistency. The cream silk upholstery carries a repeat motif of the Napoleonic bee enclosed within a laurel wreath - the personal emblem of Napoleon Bonaparte, chosen to symbolise industry, immortality, and imperial authority. Fabric woven with this motif was used in the Napoleonic imperial interiors, and its use here is entirely deliberate. Whoever commissioned this piece understood the language they were speaking.

- Lee Hawkins, Hawkins Antiques · Est. 1960

Delivery

UK Delivery

We offer FREE fully wrapped and insured two-man delivery across mainland UK. All items are handled carefully by our trusted in-house delivery team.

International Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available. We regularly arrange professional international delivery for clients across Europe, the USA, and beyond. Please enquire for a tailored quotation.

Packaging & Handling

Professionally wrapped and protected
Handled by experienced furniture specialists
Carefully transported to minimise movement and risk
Collection available by appointment

Condition

Condition Report

Mahogany frame sound and stable throughout with no repairs or restorations. All ormolu mounts present, original and secure with no losses or replacements. Upholstery in good presentable condition - cream fabric clean and intact. Sabre legs structurally sound with no wobble or repairs.

Minor wear entirely consistent with age — honestly described throughout. Ready to use and display immediately upon delivery.

Additional Notes

Mahogany frame sound and stable - no repairs or restorations
All ormolu mounts original, present and secure - no losses
Cream silk upholstery clean and intact - good presentable condition
Sabre legs structurally sound - no wobble or repairs

Dimensions

Height 96cm Width 121cm Depth 55cm

Why Hawkins Antiques?

Three Generations Since 1960

Hawkins Antiques has been sourcing and selling fine antique furniture for over six decades, combining traditional expertise with carefully curated stock.

Personally Selected Stock

Every piece is individually chosen for quality, character, craftsmanship, and decorative appeal - we do not mass-source inventory.

Honest Condition Reporting

We photograph and describe each item accurately, highlighting condition, restorations, age-related wear, and authenticity.

Specialist Delivery

UK deliveries are handled carefully by trusted couriers, with international shipping arranged through specialist fine art transport companies.

Let customers speak for us

from 13 reviews

Websiteeasy to use & very quick delivery.

Wayne Crocker

05/29/2026

Hawkins Antiques

Our house was built in 1820, so I have been slowly acquiring furniture from the same period. The piece is perfect & arrived very quickly too.

Wayne Crocker

05/29/2026

Fine Georgian Mahogany Fold Over Tea Table With Carved Lion Paw Feet C.1820

We love our fender. Brilliant condition and very speedy and good delivery service.

Chloe Frost

04/10/2026

Hawkins Antiques

We purchased a table from Hawkins Antique and it is absolutely stunning and a mint condition! Delivery was very fast and the delivery team were fantastic and really went the extra mile to get the table into the house - it wasn't simple due to our narrow front door, but the guys managed to get it in, keeping the table safe along the way! Highly recommend - very happy! Made another purchase already!

Liam Phillips

03/25/2026

Hawkins Antiques

If you are looking for an antique/furniture dealer who sells good quality at appropriate prices, are prompt, polite and helpful and deliver what they promise, our recent experience of Hawkins exactly fits that bill.wewill gladly buy from them again.

Bali Kochar

02/26/2026

Hawkins Antiques

We had purchased a walnut sideboard from this company. We are delighted with it and with the service. The sideboard - is in a very good condition, clean, as described and advertised. We found dealing with everyone in that company to be straight forward and helpful. I would not hesitate buying from them again! Highly recommended!!!

Monika Hold

02/26/2026

Hawkins Antiques

The cabinet was just as expected photos were spot on. Delivery service was excellent and fast. Highly recommend Lee and co. Thank you

Linda Bennett

11/18/2025

Hawkins Antiques

Superb service from purchase to delivery. Lee could not have been more helpful and the item is exactly as described. His delivery guys were wonderful too!

Ruth Middle

10/03/2025

Hawkins Antiques

Hawkins Antiques have been absolutely perfect. The furniture we bought is brilliant, exactly as described and photographed, and the team couldn’t have been more helpful and professional

Dan Sails

08/19/2025

Hawkins Antiques

Bought a William Tillman table and chairs. We are absolutely thrilled with the purchase and the company was very understanding when we were having trouble with moving dates. They were extremely helpful and understanding. Items came well packed and dropped off by two nice chaps who moved everything into the house for us without any hassle at all. Absolutely no trouble in recommending Hawkins Antiques. Would give more than 5*

M Wilson

08/03/2022

Hawkins Antiques

Visited Hawkins Antiques a few days ago and must say I was very impressed with the wonderful furniture and the helpfulness of the staff. Well worth a visit

Donna Oram

11/15/2017

Hawkins Antiques

I visited this place last week and have to say I was amazed, it was like a museum. I definitely recommend anyone to take a visit to Hawkins antiques if you are in the Cardiff or Barry area.

Rukaya Wareth

11/15/2017

Hawkins Antiques