Mid 19th Century Biedermeier Pair of Austrian Chairs Josef Danhauser Style

Description

We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as we try to give you detailed technical and historical information … more We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects.
First of all, we would like to specify that the seats of the chairs are in good condition. Still, we prefer not to cover them with a new fabric so that everyone can perform this simple operation using the fabric with the pattern and color that best suits their decor, but more so to attest to the antiquity and authenticity of the two chairs, since there are so many modern copies of these models on the market today. Rare and iconic pair of Austrian chairs in pure Biedermeier style; used fine, bright birch wood for the execution; the seat is wide and comfortable, the frame is stable and sturdy; the legs, with a slight cabriole profile, and square section have a definite shape, the back ones are one with the chair back; the backrest has the particular classic shape that was used in the Biedermeier period; it also has an inlay depicting, in stylized form, the coat of arms of the Prince of Wales (three ostrich feathers on a crown and the German inscription "Ich dien," "I serve" see photo)and a laurel wreath made of black wood. In Austrian chairs, the reference to the Prince of Wales as an ornamental motif is explained because the Hanover Dynasty (kingdom of Prussia) played a significant role in English and later British history. The dynasty began with the accession of George I to the throne in 1714 and continued until the death of Queen Victoria in 1901; thus a clear architectural homage to the Prussian Household on iconic furniture items. As for the laurel wreath, it was originally a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Greece and ancient Rome. As classical aesthetics and symbolism continued to influence art and design throughout history, including the Renaissance and Neoclassical periods, elements such as laurel wreaths became popular decorative motifs. Furniture, architectural details, and various objects were adorned with laurel wreaths to evoke a sense of classical elegance, victory, and honor. This classical revival, known as neoclassicism, was particularly prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries. The use of these motifs was a way for craftsmen and designers to infuse their creations with a sense of classical beauty and cultural richness. As seen in our chairs, craftsmen of the Biedermeier period also did not disdain the use of these decorations. The Biedermeier style was an artistic movement that developed among the German and Austrian bourgeoisie around 1815 and 1848, soon spreading throughout Europe, characterized by a functional type of furniture with simple, geometric lines.
Often referred to as the "Romantic" genre because of the essentiality and harmony of its forms, Biedermeier first took on a derogatory connotation: the word Biedermeier derives from "Bieder," meaning "simple," and from "Meir," one of the most common German surnames at the time, the term meant to denote the conservative petty bourgeois, concerned only with his family reality. The Biedermeier style that emerged after the Congress of Vienna and the decline of the Napoleonic empire was aimed particularly at the bourgeoisie eager for simple, functional furnishings. The Biedermeier artistic movement aims to enhance sobriety and harmony, modifying some of the stylistic motifs from the earlier period, but stripping them of all the ornamentation, frills, and excesses that had characterized it. In these sober and harmonious chairs, the combination of curved and straight lines is skillfully emphasized in an interesting interplay of volumes and geometries, giving the objects a timeless elegance that can characterize any room in the home. The chairs were created, inspired by the works of the Viennese cabinetmaker Joseph Danhauser (1805-1845), between 1840 and 1845 in a craft workshop in Vienna, the capital city was a major center of Biedermeier furniture production. Joseph Danhauser designed exceptional chairs with clean, simple elegant lines, and unique and extraordinary pieces. The chairs are in good condition. Measurements width cm.45, depth cm.43, height cm.85, seat cm.44. For all our shipments we use special packaging materials (custom-made wooden crates, styrofoam, etc.) for maximum protection and safety of the items. less