Chapter 3

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Tête-à-Tête Settee

The Tête-à-Tête Settee, also known as courting bench, kissing bench, or conversation bench, is a bench consisting of two parallel seats that face opposite directions yet share the same arm that separates them. Made popular during Victorian times, these chairs were seen as an intimate way to have a conversation as their name, meaning head-to-head, would suggest. It also helped to keep gentlemen who were courting act proper in the parlor.

Although during Victorian times these benches became popular, throughout history since then there has been a revisit and modernization of them.

In 1937 Salvador Dalì created the Vis-a-Vis de Gala bench. Designed in 1937 the bench features lacquered and polished brass detailing and 1 natural silk cover built on a wood structure with conical springs and cinches.


Vis-a-Vis de Gala by Salvador Dalì

In the 1950's the famous furniture designer, Edward Wormley, also created his own version of the bench. The bench is constructed from maple or walnut wood with your choice of matte brass, antique brass, gun metal, or brushed aluminum, and comes with down back pillows.

Tete-a-Tete by Edward Wormley

Even today these sofa's can be seen again in a modern way. One famous example is the sofa used on William Shatner's show, "Shatner's Raw Nerve." The style of the seat gives a closer interaction with William Shatner and his guests.