Pair Antique French Louis XV Painted Armchairs, circa 1880

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Pair Antique French Louis XV Painted Armchairs, circa 1880

About the Item

Receive our new selections direct from 1stdibs by email each week. Please click Follow Dealer below and see them first! This attractive pair of antique French Louis XV style painted armchairs circa 1880 embodies the sensuous feel of eighteenth century furnishings created during the reign of Louis XV (1723-1774). The open arms and shaped back of these Rococo style armchairs identify them as "fauteuils en cabriolet" to use the French terminology. The elegant sweeping curves of the Rococo are well executed in these painted antique French armchairs. The beautiful organic quality of Nature, especially in flowering plants, was a powerful theme of the Rococo and this is quite evident in these French fauteuils. The top of the chair rail, the knees of the front legs and the centre detail seen at the front of the seat all use flowers as their source for the carving that embellishes each chair. In addition, the use of a feathered flourish (seen at the side of each seat back as well as the foot of each leg) is used to emphasize the shape of a curve. Notice how the arms of each chair are emphasized by the use of a channelled groove (known as "en cannelure" in French) to increase their dramatic appeal. These chairs were designed to be a comfortable place to be seated especially for fashionable women whose grand dresses needed space to flow and billow as they strolled and posed but also room not to be crushed when sitting down. Thus the space between the arms is always of a generous scale and the slant or rake of the back accommodated relaxation. The "en cabriolet" term means that the chairs were light and easy to move about a room as needed and this term was coopted by automobile manufacturers to describe a sporty and light, fast moving vehicle. The original painted finish shows the passage of time in the unique pattern of wear seen on each chair which adds to their visual texture and appeal. Freshly upholstered in muslin these antique Louis XV style painted armchairs are both a delight to see as well as use on a daily basis.

Dimensions:
Height: 37.5 in (95.25 cm)Width: 27 in (68.58 cm)Depth: 27 in (68.58 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Louis XV (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Painted
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1880-1889
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1880
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
Seller: SPA201stDibs: LU86687056083