Pair of French Louis XV Antique Fauteuils Arm Chairs, Jean-Baptiste Sené c. 1760

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Pair of French Louis XV Antique Fauteuils Arm Chairs, Jean-Baptiste Sené c. 1760

About the Item

EXCEPTIONAL PAIR OF LOUIS XV FAUTEUILS EN CABRIOLE France, c. 1760-80; by Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené, maître 1769 Stamped "I.B. SENE" on the back of each frame Jean-Baptiste Claude-Sené was born in 1748 to a family of Parisian menuisiers. His father, Claude Sené, produced very fine works throughout the Louis XV period and into the XVI style - he had two sons, Claude II and Jean-Baptiste, both of whom became well known menuisiers, though Jean-Baptiste far surpassed his brother in fame and clientele. Becoming a maître in 1769 at age 21, Jean-Baptiste became a supplier to the king and his châteaux through the eve of the Revolution, continuing to make exceptional furniture even beyond the Revolution by becoming an administer for the new government. Works by his hand are held in major museums around the world, including several chairs in Versailles. The present example is interesting both in the light of connoisseurship, being exceptionally carved and of dynamic flowing proportions, but also in being crafted in the Louis XV style, an "old" style during his time and one he worked in with some infrequency. Executed in solid beechwood, the crests feature a deep flowing bouquet of flowers with leaves furling outward into a molded frame, serpentine along the sides and bottom around a comfortable upholstered back. Curved arms, upholstered at the center with brass tack lining, flow out from the back from pinned mortise-tenon joints into carved hand rests over incredibly molded and petite arm supports that curve in to join the seat frame with an S-scroll completing the design. The arm support proportions speak to a perfect mastery of lines, noting just how thin the profile of each is and how delicately carved they are, the curve undulating in perfect harmony with the flow of the seat back and cabriole leg - an almost unbroken serpentine frequency stretches from the shoulder of the crest through the toe. The apron of each chair has a robust flow, arching high into the frame before sinking into an exceptional central carved floral bouquet. The four cabriole legs join the frame with exposed peg tenon-mortise joints behind floral carved knees before flowing in a perfect cyma-curve to terminate in understated foliate carved french toes - the carving on the toes is mirrored in the hand rests, where again the design is subtle and understated. Both chairs have a wonderful glow about them, the surfaces being deeply polished with a warm patina preserved under layers of wax. The exposed back reveals all construction details, each chair enjoying the longevity of tenon-mortise joinery with small wooden pins [some replaced] to lock the frame together. Both chairs are stamped "I B SENE" on the back rail of the seat frame. For serious collectors and connoisseurs of the very best of the period, this is an exceptional investment grade pair of fauteuils. Literature: French Furniture of the Eighteenth Century, Pierre Verlet, p. 77-78 French Cabinetmakers of the Eighteenth Century, Hachette, p. 259-265 - extensive biographical information, furniture stamp documented to scale Le Moblier Francais Du XVIII Siecle, Kjellberg, p. 230-236 Provenance: [note, we purchased the full set of four but have sold off two of the set to a private collector - these are the only two chairs remaining from the set] Sotheby's (Sale N08206, Lot 115), Sold for $8,400 - see "Literature" below for pdf Sotheby's (Sale N08548, Lot 119), Sold for $6,875 - see "Literature" below for pdf Measurements: 34 1/4" high to crest x 20" deep x 22 1/2" wide; seat is 17" high over the ground Condition Report: Upholstery in excellent condition with only most minor of discolorations here and there. One back leg spliced - both chairs very study and strong. Extensive inactive pest damage to surfaces. Shoulder corners with cracking and accompanying repairs, one shoulder with some deterioration as visible in the images. Some pegs replaced. Webbing and interior blocking replaced, leaving the chairs comfortably stuffed and fully functional. We have 48 detailed images of this pair of French chairs on our primary website - a link is also available upon request.

Creator:
I. B. Sene (Cabinetmaker)
Dimensions:
Height: 34.25 in (87 cm)Width: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Materials and Techniques:
Beech
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Mid-18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1760-80
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages.
Seller Location:
Shippensburg, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 1202MLY241stDibs: LU105901425612