Set of Four French Empire Period, Mahogany Fauteuils

View Similar Items

Pair of Empire Period Mahogany Fauteuils, France ca. 1810-20

Set of Four French Empire Fauteuil Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Frères

Set of Four 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchairs

Pair of Empire design Fauteuils in Mahogany, France, circa 1880

Circa 1800-1815 French Directoire to Empire Period Fauteuil

Set of Four French Empire Armchairs, 1810

Pair of French Directoire Period Fauteuils

Pair of French Empire Mahogany Fauteuils, 19th Century, circa 1810

Set of Four French Louis XVI Open Armchairs or Fauteuils

Pair of French Directoire Mahogany Fauteuils

Pair of French Louis XV Period Fauteuils

French Empire Period Mahogany Armchair with Swans' Heads

1 of 5

Set of Four French Empire Period, Mahogany Fauteuils

About the Item

A beautiful set of four French Empire period, mahogany and mahogany veneer fauteuils with inverted backs that have carved decoration of roses and palms. The arms rest on carved winged swan necks. The arched feet are carved with lotus leaves. The upholstery is a silk needlepoint with a different flower decoration for each chair. The fauteuils are stamped, “L. BELLANGE”, by their maker Louis-François Bellangé.

Louis-François Bellangé

Louis-François Bellangé (1759-1827) was the younger brother of the famous ébéniste, Pierre-Antoine Bellangé and uncle of Alexandre-Louis Bellangé. He became supplier of furniture to Napoleon I. His furniture can be seen at the Château de Rambouillet, Windsor Castle in England, The Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

Note: The Comtesse of Montesquieu Fezensac was born Louise-Charlotte le Tellier de Louvois de Montmirial-Courtanvaux. She married the Comte Anne-Elisabeth, Pierre of Montesquiou Fezensac. Napoleon I appointed her “Gouvernante des Enfants de France” in 1810 before the birth of the king of Rome in 1811. She stayed with the prince in Vienna during his exile. The child called her, “Maman Quiou”.

After being squire to the Comte of Provence (King of France after 1814 under the name of Louis XVIII), Comte Anne-Elisabeth-Pierre was elected North Deputy and was particularly interested in financial matters. He later became President of the Financial Commission. He rallied Napoleon I and was “President du Corps Legislatif, Senateur et Pair de France”, and was well-known for his function as the Grand Chamberlain of France under the Empire and the Cent Jours (Hundred Days).

The Grefulhe family was one of Paris’ most opulent families of bankers during the 19th century. The head of this family received the title of Comte by Napoleon. One of the most celebrated members was the Comtesse de Grefulhe, born Princess de Caraman-Chimay (1860-1956). She had a very reputable salon, was a friend of Proust, and was one of the few women who served as a model for the character of the “duchesse de Guermantes” for Proust’s work, La Recherche du Temps Perdu.

Vetted Antique Shows/Fairs
The International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show, New York, NY, 2008

Provenance
Louis-François Bellangé, Paris, France
Private Collection, Comtesse Pierre de Montesquiou
Private Collection, Grefulhe, then by descendants
Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques, Charleston, South Carolina

Dimensions:
Height: 37.5 in (95.25 cm)Width: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)Depth: 21.25 in (53.98 cm)
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1810-1820
Condition:
Minor restoration characteristic of usage including the cleaning of the tapestry. Recently, the chairs were disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled all in the traditional methods as they were “born”. The surfaces were all French polished.
Seller Location:
Charleston, SC
Reference Number:
1stDibs: U081110857727