18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Canape

• Gallery - On furniture, a gallery is a small upright section, frequently pierced and decorated, around the tops of small items of furniture, such as davenports, side tables, and so forth. Galleries are made in brass or bronze,and be fretted, pierced or solid timber. A three-quarter gallery is one that surrounds three of the four sides of a table, desk or other top.
• Cane in Furniture Making - Cane, as used to make furniture is harvested from the ratan palm. The rattan palm is a type of climbing palm that is native to tropical regions of Asia and Africa. The stem of the rattan palm, also known as cane, is harvested, stripped of its skin, and then used to make a variety of furniture items. Rattan furniture is known for its durability, lightness and natural beauty. The cane is flexible yet strong and can be woven into various patterns, making it suitable for a wide range of furniture styles from traditional to modern. The furniture made from rattan cane is also known for its durability and resistance to extreme weather conditions. Popular items include chairs, tables, sofas, and cabinets. The natural colour of the cane can be preserved or it can be stained or painted for different looks.
• Signed or Stamped - A signed piece of furniture may mean that the maker has signed (and hopefully dated) the piece in the same way that we sign a cheque, but more likely, that it bears evidence of the name of the maker, wholesaler or retailer as a paper label, metal plaque, impressed into the timber or in later pieces after about 1880, stamped onto the timber with an ink stamp.
  
  The 'signature' or stamp will always be in an unobtrusive position: under the top of a table, on the underside of the rails of a chair, inside a drawer or on the back.
  
  The fact that a piece is 'signed' considerably enhances its value. Signed Australian furniture is extremely rare, and for imported furniture, it is a mark of quality of the item, as only the items by the top makers or retailers were 'signed'
• Provenance - A term used to describe the provable history of an antique or work of art, and thus an additional aid to verifying its authenticity. Provenance can have an inflating effect on the price of an item, particularly if the provenance relates to the early settlement of Australia, a famous person, or royalty. Less significant are previous sales of the item through an auction house or dealer.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• seating, lounges, settees and suites - canape (settees) 83