Renaissance «chayère» chair

This chayère chair of beautiful proportions stands on a rectangular box base enriched by vermiculure motifs executed in flat-plane. This base is topped by a moulding of strong gadroons in high-relief. The curved arm-rests are supported by two large balusters. They are adorned by acanthus leaves.

The chair back is framed by two grooved pilasters. The central panel is ornated with vermiculures spreading around a rose. Above the Ionic capitals the entablature presents a frieze of geometric motifs.

This well architectured and elegant chayère chair is a very fine example of Lyon productions from around 1530 and 1550. At the time furniture borrows shapes and vocabulary from architecture. Jambs are then shaped as grooved pilasters and the entablature topping the chair echoes antique porticos.


Literature :

Jacqueline Boccador, Le mobilier français du Moyen-âge à la Renaissance, Monelle Hayot, 2000
Edith Mannoni, Le mobilier lyonnais, Charles Massin, 2017