Pair of Deckchairs, France, 20th Century

A very impressivel A-form pair of granit urns, each of Campana form, the rims cast with acanthus leaves, the bodies applied with foliate scrolls and flowers, with ram mask handles, o...

These armchairs made of tinted wood are to be linked to another pair of armchairs executed by Gabriel Viardot, and now exhibited at the Decorative Arts Museum in Paris (Inv. 2006.105.1.2). They present a similar asymmetric design and an equal carving quality including the winding dragon on the back. (see picture attached) Gabriel Viardot career began as a wood carver and he produced small furniture, sculpturally carved with naturalistic motifs and animals. In the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris, his finely sculpted objects were well received. However, with the increasing importation of similarly produced Swiss and German articles, he found less opportunity for these and decided to innovate. G. Viardot succeeded to his father’s business in 1861 installed rue Rambuteau in Paris, circa 1870 he turned to the idea of producing “Meubles genre Chinois et Japonais”. The taste in Europe for exotic furniture...

A pair of early 20th Century French armchairs. Commonly referred to as 'crapaud chairs' on turned ebonised legs and castors. These chairs have been totally reupholstered in a neutra...

This elegant pair of 20th-century French armchairs exemplifies timeless design and craftsmanship. Constructed from solid walnut, the chairs feature beautifully styled carved frames w...