By Saint Honore Les Bains
Located in London, GB
France, 1860s.
Attributed to a Parisian Atelier, Faubourg Saint-Antoine District.
This exceptional mid-19th-century Crapaud (toad) chair is a quintessential example of Second Empire French upholstery. Known for its low-slung, enveloping silhouette, it features a deep-buttoned back and original documentary moss-toned velvet. The piece is richly detailed with traditional French passementerie, including hand-twisted rope piping and a substantial bullion fringe. Supported by ebonized turned legs on original brass and ceramic castors, this chair perfectly captures the faded elegance of a Parisian salon.
The olive-drab velvet has aged with remarkable grace, now worn to a distressed, matte, suede-like finish. This authentic age-tone and surface wear lend the piece a stately home provenance and a quiet depth that modern reproductions cannot replicate.
A masterfully hand-crafted piece featuring traditional bench-made joinery. The chair utilizes hand-tied coil springs and hand-tufted deep-buttoning, showcasing the labor-intensive artisanal techniques of the 1860s.
the quality of the ebonized turnings and the precision of the hand-tufting suggests the work of a premier Parisian 'tapissier' (upholsterer). The design is closely aligned with the 'confortable' style popularized by Maison Fournier...
Category
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Upholstery Furniture