18th and 19th century chaise longue / longue

A long couch dating from the late 17th century, similar to a sofa with arms at either end. Unlike the upholstered sofa, however, the settee usually has a shaped wooden splat back, similar to dining chairs. In Australia, any small couch is sometimes known as a settee.

A French term meaning literally 'long chair'. Originally made in two or three sections, chaise longue now means a couch with a rolled upholstered end and a back which does not extend the whole length of the piece. The chaise took many forms, from the Grecian designs of the Classical Revival, with sabre legs and scrolled arms, to the more massive productions of the later Victorian period. The Victorian nine-piece drawing room suite would usually include a chaise longue, a gentleman's chair, lady's chair, and six drawing room chairs, usually of the balloon-back type.