Jean-Baptiste Boulard Armchairs

Pair of Louis XVI so-called "a la Reine" armchairs (large format to be placed on either side of a chest of drawers), late 18th century production circa 1780. One of the seats is stamped JB Boulard. Jean Baptiste Boulard was one of the most talented French seatmakers of 18th century ; he started his career with Louis XV seats in 1755, and later got specialized in Louis XVI seats...

Jean-Baptiste Boulard Two small carved beech wood armchairs Paris, circa 1765 Each measures: height 92 cm (43 cm to the seat) x 68 cm wide x 64 cm deep (in 36.22 x 26.77 x 25.19) lb 41.8 (kg 19) State of conservation: almost excellent. The wooden part is all original and has some signs of use; the pink velvet cover is modern. Jean-Baptiste Boulard (Paris, 1725-1789) was appointed Maître (he received the Maîtrise) in Paris on 17 April 1755. Along with Georges Jacob and Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené, he is one of the most important French carvers of the second half of the 18th century. He developed a great reputation which allowed him both to supply a rich private clientele and to work regularly for the Garde-Meuble of the Crown starting from 1777. Some of his works are in the collections of the greatest international museums: in Paris at the Louvre Museums, le Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Carnavalet, in London at the Wallace Collection, in Lisbon at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum and in New York at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The twin seats are sculpted and carved beech wood. The back has a wavy shape, slightly tapered at the bottom. Two armrests extend from the backrests, following an undulating course and finishing with a curl, before descending in an “S”-shaped curve toward the seat; the seat itself is wide and rests on four wavy legs ending with curled feet. A beautiful ornamental motif of skillfully carved rosettes stands out on the molding of the backrest and in the frontal part beneath the seats; some carved leafy twigs follow the curve and the movement of the wooden elements as they descend. Between the two rear legs, under the seat, the armchairs bear...