Design for a Sofa with Wing-like Arms

Art Historical Context

This delicate pen and ink with brush and wash, created by an anonymous British artist in the 19th century, a refined design for a sofa featuring distinctive wing-like arms. Measuring just 9 x 11 7/8 inches, this compact sheet captures the elegance of Regency-era furniture, a period (circa 1811–1820) when British interiors blended neoclassical symmetry with growing comfort and luxury. Wing-backed sofas like this were prized in drawing rooms, their curved arms evoking protective shelter—originally designed to trap warmth from open fireplaces while shielding sitters from drafts. The medium exemp...