Pair of chairs « chauffeuses » by J. Boucault around 1765

Rare pair of chairs called « chauffeuses »* with a flat back in beech wood. Model with a high violin back strongly molded with a high crosspiece cut out as a « gendarme hat ». The shoulders and the top of the crosspiece are finely carved with flowers in high relief. The lower crosspieces in acanthus clasp are slightly curved and rest on four arched legs ending in scrolls.
One of the two chairs stamped " I. Boucault "* on the back of the rear crosspiece.

Good condition, minor wear, probably formerly lacquered.

Parisian work of the Louis the XVth period, circa 1765.

Dimensions :

Height : 99 cm ; Width : 60 cm ; Depth : 55 cm.

Our opinion :

The very architectural cut of our chairs is, like the high relief sculptures, unusual on Louis the XVth period seats. It is the work of J. Boucault who was one of the most innovative producers of seats of the French eighteenth century. These elements can be found on several seats, some of which have been sold at auctions or are kept in museums.
-          Louis the XVth period cabriolet armchair, Christie's Paris sale, November 23, 2021, lot 63 (21,250 euros).
Comparative bibliography :

- B. Pallot, The Art of armchairs in the XVIIIth century in France, Courbevoie, 1987, pp. 34-35 and 131
- B. Pallot, The Furniture of the Louvre Museum. Tome 2. Seats and consoles (carpentry) XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries, Dijon, 1993, p. 87
*Jean Boucault, is a carpenter in seats received master in Paris in 1728, he settled in rue de Cléry. Although his activity lasted more than fifty years, the number of his works is not very abundant. His productions in the Louis the XVth, Transition and Louis the XVIth styles are of good quality, worked with great care and elegance and carved soberly or simply molded. It is mentioned that he worked for the Garde Meuble de la Cour. He stopped his activities in 1780.
* The chair « chauffeuse » also called « fire corner » is a low chair with a high back and a comfortable seat, often decorated with cushions.
Its low seat allowed its occupant to be at the height of the fireplace, whether it is the fireplace or a simple stove, while its large back sheltered him from the drafts and kept the heat.