Antique Essentials for the Victorian Parlor
Replicating the Woman's Sitting Room in a 19th Century House
In Victorian times, the parlor was primarily the domain of women. Here they sat, read, engaged in the gentile art of needlework and entertained guests for tea. These rooms and the items placed in them were of a feminine and somewhat sentimental nature.
The room was filled. Every table, display case, corner what-not or wall shelf held an assortment of porcelain, decorative items, glass and pottery.
Dressing the Victorian Fireplace
The fireplace was the heart of the room. Low upholstered covered chairs were placed nearby for warmth. Dressing the Victorian fireplace meant filling the shelf with Staffordshire dogs, gilt figurines, one or more very ornate clocks, a pair heavy bronze or silver candelabras and numerous ceramic ornaments.
A beaded tapestry about 12" deep might have hung from the mantle. And the fireplace opening may have had summer screen of needlepoint. Both adorned with passimentarie or fancy fringes and tassels.
Decorating the Walls
The Victorian woman filled nearly every available space. It was a time of must-haves and much of those must-haves were gaudy and over decorated. Enough detail on an item was never enough detail.
The walls would be filled with plaques from travels, oil paintings in heavy gilt frames, silhouettes, pictures on silk, embroidered samplers in tramp art frames, wall sconces, and even framed human hair art, which was a popular pastime. Women removed their hair from their combs and kept it special jars on their dressing table for this purpose.
There would also be bell pulls because most middle class households of the day had at least one maid, cook or housekeeper.
The Parlor Table
A Spode tea service would sit on the parlor table, perhaps a pretty oil lamp, a book of Tennyson poetry, a collection of papier mache boxes and a cranberry glass vase full of bright pink roses cut fresh from the garden.
The Floor and Window Treatments
The floor would have had a flowery carpet in whatever was fashionable. The walls might be have been papered to match the colors and designs of the carpet.
Lace curtains ran the full length and height of the window, layered with rich linen, silk damask or velvet. Passimenterie tied the drapes back when opened. A canary might be singing in an ornate cage by the window.
Price Guide for Key Items in a Victorian Parlor
Most items needed to decorate a Victorian parlor are still easily found today at auctions, estate sales, and antique shops. Prices always depend on maker, condition, detail, material and rarity and luck.
- Decorators can still find a Victorian fireplace and the best place to look would be at architectural salvage yards. Depending on size, detail, and material, expect to pay $500 or as high as $5 K or more for a very spectacular one.
- Victorian corner what-not shelves can still be found for $75 to $200.
- Victorian side chairs are cheap and easy to find if the decorator is willing to have them re-covered. If they are "in the rough," they can be found for less than $50. A true Victorian parlor chair would have been stuffed with horsehair, so if paying a lot more, make sure it's authentic.
- Victorian Mantle clocks can cost a minimum of $100.
- Staffordshire dogs can cost a minimum of $50.
- Victorian beaded fireplace tapestries can cost at least $100 and much more depending on condition and quality.
- Human hair art, most often in the shape of a wreath can cost at least $300 and more. They are rare, but still turn up at auctions occasionally. Often, women collected their hair all their lives and after death, their loved ones would make a memorial hair wreath and protect it framed in a glass shadow box.
- Victorian oil paintings in original gilt frames can be very expensive. Much depends on the signature. Expect to pay a minimum of $200 for a Victorian oil painting, but most often they are much more than that. Gilt frames, however, can be found for a minimum of $20 at auctions.
- 19th century embroidered samplers will cost a minimum of $100 at auctions. For more information on samplers, please read Primitive and Collectible Antique Samplers.
- Prices vary considerably for fancy antique oil lamps. Expect to pay at least $100 at auction.
- Cranberry glass is widely collected and is also very expensive today. Expect to $50 for a small vase.
References
- The World of Victoriana, James Norbury, Hamlyn,1972
- Victorian Revival, Jim Kemp, Stoddart, 1985
- The Victorian House Book, Robin Guild, Rozzoli, 1989
Antiques Suitable for a Victorian Parlor
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