1690s Armchairs

Pair 17th century Louis XIII barley twist armchairs are perfect for adding an Old World touch to any decor. handcrafted from solid old-growth French...

A fine, large, late 17th century, Flemish, open armchair in the style of Daniel Marot with an upholstered seat This fine, armchair is an, unusually, large size and the carving is of exceptional quality reflecting the status of the owner it was made for. It is sturdy and in usable condition. Chairs of this type, with tall, intricately carved backs, were placed in rows against a wall forming part of the decoration of a room. The carving of the back of this chair is French in style and was based on decorative prints by Daniël Marot The cresting carved with a profusion of acanthus leaf scrolls. The back with fine, pierced carving. The mid-section with a central flowerhead with scrolled shields above and below ornamented with flowerheads acanthus leaf crestings. Two pairs of carved ‘S’ scrolls ornamented with acanthus leaves either side. The tapering turned sections surmounted by ionic capitals and supporting back of the scroll arms carved with acanthus leaf ornament. The front arms supported by baluster and tapering turned sections ornamented with acanthus leaf carving. The legs joined by a shaped ‘H’ stretcher with central finial, on bun feet. The upholstered seat reupholstered in a bargello woven in tones of blue, green, red and gold faced with braid and brass studwork. The back of the chair has an incredible, 19th century, oak support from the cresting to halfway down the back, which has been beautifully carved to conform with the open sections of the back, and two braces down the length of the back. There are also two oak supports behind seat blocks at the top of the legs. These repairs are sensitive to the model of chair and have become part of its character and features in their own right and they are very interesting from a conservation history perspective. There are two old repairs to a small break in the cresting on the right hand side and the hairline cracks are visible, an old repair to a small break in the top right of the central splat with a small piece added and a visible hairline crack. The right side of the back has noticeable worm damage on the right seat block which is probably the root cause of the break on the block on this side from impact as the chair probably fell backwards at some point and either onto its right side or it hit something on that side and the block weakened by worm gave way as the damage to the chair is localised on the far right side. Because the backs are high on these Daniel Marot chairs they are top heavy and invariably do have damage to the backs and crestings from impact damage so this is not unusual. The right block has been repaired thoroughly and is stable and there is no live worm in the chair. It would be possible to disguise these repairs but I have left them as they are consistent with the 19th century date of the supports and conform with museum standards. A full set of photographs...

A beautifully shaped William and Mary oak armchair with well carved horse-bone legs and arm supports, scrolled feet and handsomely carved front stretcher with S scrolls and geometric motif. The tall upholstered back over spiral turned legs and original spiral and bulb turned stretchers. In very good condition for age with some small old dings, some old woodworm, long long dead and a couple of small very old repairs - not affecting structure. The chair is extremely comfortable and solid with a good width between the arms, deep well padded seat and gentle rake to the padded back. Upholstered in a moss green high quality velvet with matching fringed braid in very good condition also. A really beautiful and rather rare early chair of generous proportions all made by hand in c. 1690. The oak has developed an excellent dark and rich colour throughout. A good and honest William and Mary chair...

A museum quality, late-17th century, walnut, upholstered sleeping armchair • Exceptionally rare model; one of the first models of upholstered armchair with the addition of the wings intended to conceal draughts. • Transitional form : many of the carved features are characteristic of Baroque furniture dating from 1680 and the incorporation of upholstery is influenced by the desire for comfort post restoration of Charles II introducing French fashions to the English court. • Striking, statement piece. The cresting, “H” stretcher and scrollwork carving which features throughout the chair inject gravitas. • Practical size and ergonomic comfortable design, suitable for regular use. The original, carved, walnut cresting supported by a pair of dragons with scrollwork either side of a central stylised leaf spray. The shaped rectangular back with wings. The sweeping arms with carved scroll ends supported by tapering turned uprights emerging from blocks. The rectangular seat supported by double scroll carved and column turned legs joined by an ‘H’stretcher which mirrors the shape of the back in the centre with finial, column turned side and back stretcher and back legs. Exceptional original colour and patina. c.1690. CONDITION : re-upholstered in a recreation of 17th century, Italian, bargello embroidery which is characteristic of the period. Tiny marks, wear and losses as expected throughout the armchair. The finial is a C19 or early C20 replacement. The stretcher has suffered from worm damage and there are replaced sections at either end of 1” and 1½ “ respectively, and an area to the left of the finial has been filled. This work was not done by me and has some age to it and the finial was probably replaced at the same time. The armchair is sturdy and suitable for regular use. PROVENANCE: Private Collection, Cheyne Walk, London RELATED : Few sleeping chairs...

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