The Chesterfield - What's in a Name? By Derek Rogers At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

The Chesterfield sofa is renowned for its stylishness and sense of sophistication. It's also known for the enigmatic way that the 'Chesterfield' name was bestowed upon this type of sofa.

Many people believe that Phillip, the suave Fourth Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773), a popular politician and writer was the first to confer the title of 'Chesterfield' upon a piece of furniture. The Earl, who was a fashionable trendsetter, commissioned a piece of luxury furniture and this may have become known as a Leather Chesterfield sofa after him. Some declare that connecting this type of sofa to royalty is simply a marketing ploy, but cynics aside, no one can say for sure.

To contradict this, many believe the term is of North American origin, when a certain style of leather sofa became known as the Chesterfield in several of the United States and Canada. Apparently, in Canada, 'Chesterfield' is a commonly used general term to describe this kind of furniture, similar to 'couch', 'sofa' or 'settee'. Whilst discussing definitions and descriptions, it is worth mentioning that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), that bastion of the English language, connects the Chesterfield to the word 'couch' in its 1900 edition.

As if that didn't convolute the Chesterfield's uncertain history, others believe that the Chesterfield's name refers solely to the style or shape of the sofa, as we know it today. Traditionally, the leather buttoning on the upholstery is indicative of the Chesterfield. But many feel it refers to the deep seats and the particular positioning of the sofa's arms, at the same height as the back.

Whatever the truth regarding the name, the Chesterfield sofa has come to embody a certain sense of classy British elegance. When someone says 'Chesterfield', one thinks of quality, style and sophistication. In the past, the sofa represented the status of the owner as much as the quality of the furniture piece. But whilst the Chesterfield was once an unattainable symbol of the Upper Class elite, it has now become an enviable addition to the home of any furniture lover.

Each Chesterfield sofa is still made by hand. The wooden frame is made from specially selected hardwoods that will provide strength and support for years to come. Experienced craftsmen ensure the proper Chesterfield shape during the sofa's construction, as they skilfully piece the frame together

During the next stage, experts apply coats of polish to all areas of the sofa that will be exposed when it is complete. After the polish dries and hardens, the frame is sprung before the individual seat padding panels are added. Upholstering a Chesterfield involves using the highest quality, durable leather to encase the sofa. To finish the piece, the Chesterfield's leather is studded and buttoned before the whole thing is sealed to preserve the quality of the workmanship.

Within the name of Chesterfield, one hears the history, craftsmanship and tradition of excellence that combine to create a superior piece of furniture that will last several lifetimes.

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