Offered by GSLR Antiques
Handsome princely-quality ceremonial armchair in richly carved wood. Designed for the queen, it is mounted on a frame to alternate summer and winter upholstery. Our armchair dates from the Louis XV period, late 1760s or early 1770s. Its overall shape is still very Louis XV, with acanthus leaf and ribbon motifs heralding the Louis XVI style. High-quality Parisian work, reminiscent of the productions of Nicolas Heurtaut. Our seat is not stamped, but the workmanship and quality are comparable and make this attribution possible. Under the belt, a GM iron mark reminiscent of that of the Garde Meuble Royal. In the absence of initials under the crown, we do not know to which prince's service this chair might have been made. In the rabbet, another mark or partial stamp LAS (?).
A fine amateur's chair, whose mysteries remain to be discovered. The presence of pegs under the front crosspiece suggests that it may have been intended as a velvet “winter piece” as we present it and a caned (?) “summer piece”, which would explain the use of the unupholstered cuffs.
We had this beautiful collector's chair covered with a ruby-red stricken silk velvet coupon, dating from the late 19th century and in mint condition. The chair has been relacquered. Old restorations (reinforcement brackets), splinters at the ends of the legs.
Total width 73.5cm
Depth 70cm
Total height 104.5cm
Seat height 42cm
