An antique 19th century portable Ilkley couch by Robinson & Sons
Code: 10155
A Victorian mahogany and cane folding Ilkley Couch by Robinson and Son.
Orignally described as the 'Robinsons Patent Combination Couch' in the company's own advertisements, which featured in Shuttleworth's Guide To Ilkley.
It was marketed as an invalid couch, as well as a domestic day bed for drawing rooms and lounges.
The trifold design uses three independent ratchets allowing for each section to be adjusted to various angles, to ensure the user found the most comfortable position.
The popularity of the Ilkley couch saw its use widen into the Victorian Spa hotels of the day and also by the military. The couch was ingeniously designed allowing the frame to fold completely flat, the legs unscrewed, along with the removable foot stop bar. This made it the perfect option for use on miliatry campaigns.
Although copied by various companies, this example is the original patented Robinson & Son design, with several impressed makers stamps to the frame, along with an ink stamp.
This particular example dates to the 1870s, and has brass bracket fittings to either side of the back rest section, which would have been to receive armrests. This was an option that Robinsons offered for an additonal cost to their standard model.
Dimensions:-
194cm in length in bed position
111cm in length when folded
64.5cm widest point of frame
34.5cm high in bed position
107.3cm backrest in highest position
This is a wonderful survivor given it was intended to support a person's weight for long periods of time. The cane work panels appear original with no restoration.
The frame is solid and the bed remains very comfortable.
One porcelain caster has been replaced during its life.
A very small crack is present to one edge of the frame as illustarted which does not affect use or structual integrity.
One leg peg has lost its screw fitting, but it can still be removed and fitted.
Two legs are a little tight so we have not forced them, and these have not been removed by us.
