Giltwood Canapes

These 3 stunning antique pieces are noteworthy for their beauty, exquisite design and craftsmanship alone. But added to that is their history as artifacts from Hollywood’s Golden Age. In the early 1930’s Irving Thalberg, head of Metro Goldwyn Mayer studio in Hollywood, sent the art director Edwin B. Willis to Paris to purchase furnishings appropriate for creating sets depicting the interiors of the Palace of Versailles for the Movie “Marie Antionette”, one of the most expensive movies of the 1930’s. The movie starred his wife Norma Shearer, Tyrone Power, John Barrymore, and Gladys George. This Canapé en Corbeille and pair of matching fauteuils were selected for the set of Madame du Barry’s (Louis XV’s mistress) salon. Following this movie it was used by the studio in many other films including : "Ninotchka" (1939),"New Moon" (1940),"Reunion in France" (1942),"Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944),"Mrs. Parkington" (1944),"Madame Bovary" (1949),"An American in Paris" (1951), "Kind Lady" (1951),"The Swan" (1956),"Gigi" (1958),"Two Weeks in Another Town" (1962), "Made in Paris" (1966)," and Fitzwilly" (1967). From watching these movies we can tell you that Leslie Caron sang a song sitting on the canape. Joan Crawford sat on it in “Reunion in France” and Grace Kelly in “The Swan”. When MGM’s props...

A French Louis XVI style giltwood canapé en corbeille from the 19th century, with carved flowers and new upholstery. Created in France during the 1...

A very fine french 19th-20th century Louis XVI style giltwood carved settee by François Linke (d. 1946). The finely carved frame, upholstered in a recent cream fabric, topped with an...

This exceptional antique Louis XV sofa from the annexes of the Chateau of Versailles was crafted in France, circa 1760. The hand carved canapé st...

Elegant late 18th century French Louis XVI carved canapé / sofa /settee painted frame with simple seat back with a gilt floral accent. The arms wrap around sitter and the apron with ...

Pair of French Louis XVI style tub armchairs, the carved gilded rail in the typical manner of the period, the frame a repeating motif of detailed leaves. To the scrolling acanthus ca...

Louis XVI style canape made by La Maison London. Hand carved in solid wood, painted in an ecru white with gold highlights. Upholstered in a fabric of your choice Please note: 11m of...

Masterfull artistic talent was employed to create this stunning Italian canape. The sofa’s back could be mistaken for a canvas, given the finely detailed artwork that graces its surf...

An elegant and impressive large Louis XV style confidante sofa which has been hand carved and gilded using traditional methods and materials to achieve...

Rare and exceptional piece. This large and beautiful sofa is a fine example of the work of famed menuisier Georges Jacob (6 July 1739 – 5 July 1814), who was one of the two most prom...

A Magnificent and Palatial Neo-Rococo Giltwood Canapé. The top rail exuberantly carved with a trumpeting putto seated in a conche shell surrounded by acanthus leaves and flanked by...

Antique 19th C Louis XV Style Canapé Sofa in Eden Serene Fabric by Schuyler Samperton

Gilded wooden sofa with water leaf motifs, rosettes and grooves, straight armrests, curved armrests, twisted and tapered legs. Striped fabric trim with foliage patterns in pastel sha...

Pair 19th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Armchairs ~ Fauteuils will make a splendid addition to any room! Hand-crafted from select hardwood then given a gilt finish, each frame i...

19th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Sofa ~ Canape will make a splendid addition to any room! Hand-crafted from select hardwood then given a gilt finish, its frame is hand-carved ...

Three piece set, late 18th century French Louis XV canapé / sofa / settee with two matching armchairs. The sofa is able to accommodate three sit...

Pair 19th Century French Louis XVI Giltwood Armchairs ~ Fauteuils will make a splendid addition to any room! Hand-crafted from select hardwood then given a gilt finish, each frame i...

A Louis XVI style Canapé, upholstered with Aubusson tapestry depicting a scene from Aesop’s Fables. French, circa 1880. The small town of Aubusson, on the River Creuse in France, had a long history of producing elaborate and costly tapestries. They were known for their elegance and delicate colouring and often depicted romantic pastoral scenes derived from artists such as Boucher; historic scenes, inspired by classical mythology; or more formalized architectural vistas. Aubusson was particularly noted for its finely balanced compositions of garlands and bouquets which became famous and sought after throughout Europe. Aesop was by tradition a labourer who was a contemporary of Croesus and Peisistratus in the mid-sixth century BC in Ancient Greece. The various collections that go under the rubric "Aesop's Fables" are still taught as moral lessons and for centuries have been influential subject matter for artistic endeavour. The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf: In a village was a young boy who had a job watching the village's sheep. Two times he called out, "Wolf! Wolf!" Each time the villagers came running to help the boy. And both times the boy just laughed at the villagers and called them names. But then the wolf really did come and start eating the sheep. The boy called, "Wolf! Wolf!" but the villagers just ignored his calls. They thought he was just trying to trick them again. The wolf took his time and had a huge meal of the entire flock of sheep. The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: Once upon a time there was a wolf who decided to disguise himself so he could get some food without working too hard. He took a sheep's skin and hung it over his body. Then he went into the sheep pasture and pretended to graze with the sheep. He fooled everyone. Even the shepherd didn't realize she had a wolf grazing with her sheep. Soon the shepherd moved the sheep into the barn and the wolf went with them. The barn door was closed and locked and the wolf was just about ready to have a nice meal when the shepherd came back. She decided she wanted some food for her meal. She grabbed the wolf who was still disguised as a sheep and killed him for her meal. The Wolf and the Crane: One day a wolf had a bone stuck in his throat. He called to a crane and hired him for a large sum of money to put her head in his mouth and remove the bone. The crane did as she was hired to do and got the bone out and then asked to be paid. The wolf just grinned and said, "Ha! You've already been paid. I let you take your head safely out of my mouth when I could have crushed you with my powerful jaws”. The Wolf and a Mountain Goat: One day a wolf looked up and saw a mountain goat eating on a ledge high up on the side of a steep mountain. The wolf called out to the goat, "You should come down here to eat, you might fall if you stay up there. And the grass is very tender down here." But the mountain goat was too smart for the wolf and called back, "I don't think you are worried about my dinner. You are just looking for your own food!" The Wolf and the Lamb...

Carved walnut seating ensemble from the 19th century, with gilded decor. The pieces are in good, restaured condition. (H/W/D) Canape: 128 x 173 x 73 cm Armchairs: 117 x 70 x 66 cm (...

Large neo-Baroque sofa, art deco period, in velvet and gilded wood, circa 1940/1950 4 armchairs are also available, in another advert

This Louis XV style giltwood "canapé à corbeille" features a comfortable curving backrest with an elliptical central panel topped by carved ribbons,...