Offered by GSLR Antiques
Rare pair of antique-style chairs in mahogany, mahogany veneer, banded backrest and cross-grid simulating wrought iron, Etruscan-style curved front and back legs. Our Klismos chairs are a sophisticated production with an archaeological desire for a true return to antiquity. Highly comfortable and ergonomic, with curved backs, their waistband is tightened at the back to allow you to sit upside down with your elbows on the back, like on a bridge chair. Consulate period, circa 1800. Both chairs bear the Chapuis stamp behind the belt.
Jean-Joseph Chapuis was born in Brussels in 1765 and died there in 1864. He trained in Georges Jacob's workshop in Paris, where he obtained a master's degree, which enabled him to use a stamp. He set up his workshop in his native town around 1795 and kept it running until 1830. Here, he designed a number of combination and mechanism furniture pieces for the Court, hence the name "cabinetmaker-mechanic". Today, his furniture is on display in Brussels at the Royal Museums of Art and History and the Musée Charlier in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.
These beautiful chairs date from the beginning of his activity, in the years 1795-1800, and it is interesting to note that they are still very much inspired by Jacob's style: this backrest motif simulating intertwined ironwork is found on Jacob's chairs, so much so that one might have thought these chairs came from his workshop were it not for the Chapuis stamps on the back.
This is a fine collector's item, with very fine finishing: stamped varnish, knife-edge trim, tomato red (or dark coral) silk faille cover, a superior quality silk which is characterized by its great solidity (silk weave is much denser per cm² than satin or damask) and, finally, piping braids fashioned from the same fabric.
Excellent condition, with old restorations to the backrest. We have had the varnish stamped over and the horsehair upholstery on webbing stitched and trimmed to new.
Seat width: 46cm
Seat height: 41cm
Back height : 89,5cm
