By Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant pair of French painted and parcel-gilt bergère armchairs, attributed to Maison Jansen and dating to the mid-20th century, beautifully represents the firm's sophisticated approach to reviving the great French furniture traditions for modern interiors. Generously proportioned yet visually refined, the chairs combine the disciplined neoclassical vocabulary of the Louis XVI style with luxurious upholstery and the relaxed comfort expected of twentieth-century seating.
Each chair has a broad, gently shaped upholstered back enclosed within a finely molded painted frame. The arms are partially upholstered and terminate in beautifully carved supports, while the generous seats are fitted with substantial loose cushions, giving the pair an inviting and comfortable character. The exposed frames are finished in an attractive antique ivory or cream-painted surface, delicately relieved with gilt and muted polychrome details.
The straight seat rails are outlined with fine carved borders and supported by slender tapering fluted legs, one of the most recognizable characteristics of Louis XVI furniture. Square corner blocks are ornamented with carved floral paterae or rosettes, while restrained gilding accentuates the moldings, carving, and architectural details without overwhelming the graceful proportions.
The upholstery is particularly striking: a luxurious coral-pink, rose, cream, and pale gold striped textile decorated with flowering branches, foliage, and chinoiserie-inspired motifs. Its softly faded palette complements the aged painted finish beautifully and gives the chairs the established appearance of furnishings from an elegant European interior. As with any vintage upholstered furniture...
Category
1920s French Louis XVI Vintage Textile Seating