A fainting couch is a modern term describing a couch with a back that is traditionally raised at one end. The back may be situated completely at one side of the couch or may wrap around and extend the entire length of the piece much like a traditional couch. However, so-called "fainting couches" are easily differentiated from more traditional couches, having one end of the back raised.[1]
Méridienne (c. 1750-1760).
Red upholstered fainting couch.
The style of couch referred to popularly as "fainting couches" were popular in the 19th century as a revival of ancient furniture styles.[1]
Popular speculation about the need for fainting couches
The term "fainting couch" is not documented as being in use until the 20th century. There is nothing to suggest in advertising of the Victorian era that any article of furniture was created specifically for people to use when feeling faint and this should only be considered a myth.[1]
Popular speculation explains the predominance of what are now called "fainting couches" in the 19th century as a result of women fainting because their corsets were too tight, restricting blood flow. This does not have historic support; it has been proposed instead that these "day beds" (as they were referred to at the time) were in imitation of Roman and Grecian daybed designs.[2]
^ abcMendelsohn, Meredith (18 October 2013). "A Short History of the Fainting Couch". New York Times. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
^Celiberti, Stephanie (21 August 2019). "Make No (Whale)Bones About It: Debunking those Corsetry Myths". lancasterhistory.org. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
Further reading
Gloag, John (1962). A Short Dictionary of Furniture (rev. ed.). London: Allen & Unwin.
Ellis-Christensen, T.; Wallace, O. (7 July 2014). "What is a Fainting Couch?". homequestionsanswered.com. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
External links
Media related to Fainting couches at Wikimedia Commons
March 13, 2023
fainting, couch, fainting, couch, modern, term, describing, couch, with, back, that, traditionally, raised, back, situated, completely, side, couch, wrap, around, extend, entire, length, piece, much, like, traditional, couch, however, called, fainting, couches. A fainting couch is a modern term describing a couch with a back that is traditionally raised at one end The back may be situated completely at one side of the couch or may wrap around and extend the entire length of the piece much like a traditional couch However so called fainting couches are easily differentiated from more traditional couches having one end of the back raised 1 Meridienne c 1750 1760 Red upholstered fainting couch The style of couch referred to popularly as fainting couches were popular in the 19th century as a revival of ancient furniture styles 1 Contents 1 Popular speculation about the need for fainting couches 2 See also 3 References 4 Further reading 5 External linksPopular speculation about the need for fainting couches EditThe term fainting couch is not documented as being in use until the 20th century There is nothing to suggest in advertising of the Victorian era that any article of furniture was created specifically for people to use when feeling faint and this should only be considered a myth 1 Popular speculation explains the predominance of what are now called fainting couches in the 19th century as a result of women fainting because their corsets were too tight restricting blood flow This does not have historic support it has been proposed instead that these day beds as they were referred to at the time were in imitation of Roman and Grecian daybed designs 2 See also EditChaise longueReferences Edit a b c Mendelsohn Meredith 18 October 2013 A Short History of the Fainting Couch New York Times Retrieved 8 November 2022 Celiberti Stephanie 21 August 2019 Make No Whale Bones About It Debunking those Corsetry Myths lancasterhistory org Retrieved 8 November 2022 Further reading EditGloag John 1962 A Short Dictionary of Furniture rev ed London Allen amp Unwin Ellis Christensen T Wallace O 7 July 2014 What is a Fainting Couch homequestionsanswered com Retrieved 8 November 2022 External links Edit Media related to Fainting couches at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fainting couch amp oldid 1138809677, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
