If you like it have it reupholstered. If not donate it. Those things from this era were often deep enough to use as a bed for a guest and with extra padding comfortable.

Thank you for the feedback. I saw the severely faded velvet and what looked like carved mahogany and figured I'd better ask around before getting rid of it.

Not sure where "The Keeping Room" is getting her information, but I couldn't possibly give a definitive answer form the pictures you show....let's see the under side and a close up of the turnings and the base without the cushions.
i don't think it's 150 years old as the style would indicate, but it appears older than 1980....is there any evidence of it having been reupholstered?

Well, I'm not a "her" Lindac92. I'm a "him".

If you re-read my comments I say it's based on what I see in the photos, which are limited and not meant to be definitive. That wheat sheave carving on the crest rail is identical to the ones Southwood used to make thirty years ago and are not hand-carved. You will also see the center seat cushion is reversed and it has a zipper in it. If it were a period piece from the early 1800's - zippers had not been invented yet, so there's another clue it's a modern reproduction. Originals were one-piece cushions as well, not three. It has had severe sun fade on the material.

There were very few of those made in the Sheraton/Federal period (early 1800's) as that was an expensive piece in its day commissioned by wealthy families. Most known examples of antiques of this style are documented and in collector's hands and have been for quite some time.

If I had that sofa in front of me I could tell you very quickly based on flipping it upside down and looking at the frame construction how old it probably is - and that's from years of experience in antiques and fine reproductions. Here's what a period antique looks like, this one is currently for sale for $ 30,000.

https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/sofas/classical-federal-sheraton-carved-mahogany-phyfe-sofa-new-york-circa-1810/id-f_8136463/?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInc6Yob6G5AIVhpyzCh03sgVqEAQYASABEgJet_D_BwE

Thank you for the explainations! I flipped it and got some pictures of the underside. I removed a few staples from underneath to get the following photos. Hopefully this will indicate the time period. There are springs and fasteners inside. It’s got to be from the 20th century but I’m looking forward to the final verdict!

I am surprised that it is tied with twine/jute. I have seen waxed cording used in some furniture but not twine/jute.

Flat head screws tell me it's probably pre-WW2 build, it's obviously been re-upholstered as it has staples in the webbing and that has most likely been replaced at least once.

Thank you to all of the knowledgeable folks who have joined the discussion. In light of the feedback and the fact that I do not have the means to restore it, I will try to sell it locally. Does $200 sound like a fair price in its current condition? Again, thank you all for your knowledgeable feedback in helping me to identify this.

I would start there but more realistic in this area is none to $75. If someone is interested but not at that price you can ask what they are willing to purchase it for and haggle. If you itemize your deductions donating and using it for tax purposes might be a better solution.

I think $200 .would be a great deal.

A little puzzled by Keeping Room's original comments....it it were from the Sheraton period of the early 19th century, it certainly would have been reupholstered so the zipper and 3 cushion thing means nothing. and as far as a Sheraton sofa being in a museum....there are more than a few around for sale and in collector's homes.
I believe it's ad KR's amended remarks say.....and I would certainly hope you can sell it for $200. I see all sorts of junk selling for similar prices on my local for sale site.

I think it's lovely, I'd keep it and not do a thing to it! It looks to be to be well-made, useful, and probably quite comfortable, with lovely lines, no overstuffed kidneys and fillers. Not suitable for sprawling with your beer and chips in front of Netflix, but certainly would up the ante in many homes. Are the cushions down-filled?

I doubt very much it's early 80s, lol - I'd think it was quite a bit older, and has been reupholstered by someone who knows what they're doing - you can usually tell by extra nail holes in the wood, and it looks like there's some ?vinyl strapping for reinforcement. Looks like very nice quality velvet, too - possibly silk velvet, even? If so, that would be amazing! More likely to be quality cotton or cotton and something stronger. I love the easy fading. So much in our lives is straining for bland perfection, but there's a substance that comes with age that really can't be duplicated, barn door track hinges and faux aged finishes on floors and furnishings be damned.

I'd keep it. You won't get much for it, tbh - no-one wants to put the money into reupholstering any more. Around here it would go for anything from nothing to hundreds, depending on how optimistic the seller is! For reference: https://www.kijiji.ca/b-couch-futon/ottawa/antique/k0c238l1700185

I suppose you could schlep your photos around local upholstery businesses and see if anyone remembers working on it and could tell you a bit more about it?

I bet it weighs a ton!

Yep, I'd keep it. :)

I got $200 for it from someone who drove about an hour to pick it up. The buyer loved it and wanted to use it as-is. Id say it’s in good hands now : ) thanks for your detailed feedback.

Yes, I'd have taken it "as is" -- that lovely dusty old rose velvet colour is not available in stores!!!