Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820 For Sale

An absolutely stunning and rare circa 1820 museum-worthy Venetian gondola chair with illustrated panels, polychrome...

Rococo Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820 For Sale - Image 3 of 12

Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820 For Sale - Image 4 of 12

Early 19th Century Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820 For Sale - Image 5 of 12

Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820 For Sale In San Francisco - Image 6 of 12

Wood Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820 For Sale - Image 7 of 12

Red Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820 For Sale - Image 8 of 12

Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820 For Sale - Image 9 of 12

Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820 For Sale - Image 10 of 12

Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820 For Sale - Image 11 of 12

Or save it to favorites and we'll tell you if this item goes on sale!

Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820

Name: Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820
Price: 8900 USD
Availability: InStock

$8,900

Past Perfect

San Francisco, CA

Shop safely with our Chairish Buyer Guarantee

Shopping with Chairish is kinder to the Planet

An absolutely stunning and rare circa 1820 museum-worthy Venetian gondola chair with illustrated panels, polychrome finish, parcel-gilt decorations, and original … more An absolutely stunning and rare circa 1820 museum-worthy Venetian gondola chair with illustrated panels, polychrome finish, parcel-gilt decorations, and original leather upholstery. Presented in its extraordinarily well-preserved and unaltered antique condition.

Features fifteen finely-done and delightful hand-painted and découpaged vignettes on all four sides, each depicting an intriguing Venetian scene or fauna specimen that rewards those who lean in for a closer look.

Most vignettes depict groups of women in various activities: dancing, laughing, lounging, courting, cavorting with children and cherubs, and traipsing about the Italian countryside. The main image on the front shows two well-dressed men alongside a finely attired woman, with St Mark’s Campanile in the background. The image directly opposite it on the back depicts what was perhaps the outcome of this encounter: two men in robust physical disagreement beside an overturned chair. Six different birds and a pair of what appear to be black foxes round out the wonderful all-over imagery.

They’re set against a brilliant red lacquered background with intricately-patterned hand-painted yellow and emerald green polychrome inserts with gilt borders. The gracefully executed bombé curves of the three-paneled seat with its rounded back and undulating arms transition smoothly to dramatically extended outrigger-like splayed legs with scroll-style tips and embellishments, all accented by parcel-gilt trim from top to bottom.

Equally notable is the seldom seen fully intact original coffee-brown leather upholstery. It features a lovely stylized floral and foliate embossed pattern, and is secured around its perimeter by brass tacks that have acquired a handsome natural patina. And a curious surprise awaits those who look under the muslin-lined seat cushion: a spacious secret compartment hidden beneath a leather-covered hinged wood lid.

In the 1500s, there were an estimated 10,000 Venetian gondolas of all types; in the late 1800s, there were approximately 4,000; now they number around a mere 400. This rare gondola chair is the ideal of its type, and may have once even served as a special seat for a very important passenger. More than two centuries later, we suspect that we’re unlikely to soon see another offered quite like it, let alone stateside in such superb antique condition.

Its elegantly sculptural form, striking decorations, and beautiful materials and finishes are a testament to the skill and artistry of the master craftspersons, woodworkers, and artisans who brought it to fruition.

Dimensions listed are overall. Arms at outside edge are 20.75 inches wide. Seat cushion is W 11 in. x D 14.5 in. Hidden compartment is 11.75 inches deep. less

Dimensions: 37.25ʺW × 23.5ʺD × 38.38ʺH

Styles: Rococo

Number of Seats: 1

Seat Height: 23.75 in

Period: Early 19th Century

Country of Origin: Italy

Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned

Materials: Brass; Giltwood; Iron; Paint; Paper

Condition: Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections

Color: Red

Tear Sheet

Condition Notes: Repaired: Front and back original leather panels of seat cushion professionally re-secured into place in the same hand-sewn manner as … moreRepaired: Front and back original leather panels of seat cushion professionally re-secured into place in the same hand-sewn manner as they were done so originally. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. In great original antique condition. Some mostly small nicks, chips, and marks. A few larger chips and losses along edges and to a spot on front. Cosmetic crack to finish on back, commonly seen. Leather with some minor discoloration and crackling. less

Need more product details?

Est. Arrival from San Francisco, CA to:

The Estimated Arrival date is approximate and not guaranteed. Estimates include production, processing, and shipping times.

Return Policy - All sales are final 48 hours after delivery, unless otherwise specified in the description of the product.

Shop safely with our Chairish Buyer Guarantee

Past Perfect

San Francisco, CA

Questions about the item?

View all

Featured Promoted Listings

Shipping

Chairish Express In-Home Delivery

Chairish Express In-Home deliveries are currently only offered for international cross-border shipments.

The item will be delivered to your home and placed in the desired room. The delivery service includes unpacking, inspecting, and removing packaging materials; and does not include installation or setting up the item.

Shipping charges start at $999 and vary based on the size, weight, packaging, and/or the value of the item.

Deliveries can take anywhere from 6 to 9 weeks to be delivered.

Chairish Freight Delivery

Delivered in a crate, to your front door.

You will need tools and/or equipment to open the crate.

Shipping charges start at $799 and vary based on the size, weight, packaging, and/or the value of the item.

Chairish Freight deliveries can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks.

Only available in selected markets.

Chairish In-Home Delivery

Shipping charges start at $149 and based on the size and the distance between pickup and delivery (for approximate values see table):

Delivery Type	Within 50 miles radius	Within 1,500 miles radius	Over 1,500 miles radius	International Cross-Border
Shipping Price	$149 - $299	$199 - $799	$449 - $899	Over $899
Transit Time	2 to 4 weeks	3 to 6 weeks	4 to 8 weeks	12 to 17 weeks

For some items, the shipping price may vary depending on the size, weight, material and/or value of the item.

Free Local Pickup

Local pickup allows customers to inspect an item at the time of pickup and avoid shipping costs.

Following purchase, a confirmation email is sent to the email address associated with the order, and includes: Pickup Verification & Seller's contact information

Please contact the seller within 5 days to coordinate pickup

Once the item has been picked up (by you or your representative) it cannot be returned or refunded.

Free Shipping

Free shipping may be offered on select listings.

Smaller items are typically delivered within 2 weeks of the purchase date, while larger items and furniture may take up to 6 weeks for delivery.

When an item with Free Shipping is returned, the cost of return shipping fees will be charged to the buyer.

Parcel Delivery

Shipment is arranged through recognized carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL.

Only pieces that can be safely packed in a box or envelope may be shipped via parcel.

Shipping charges start at $9 — and vary based on the size, weight, packaging and the value of the item.

Delivery Type	US Domestic	International Cross-Border
Shipping Price	$9 - $99	$39 - $499
Transit Time	1 to 2 weeks	2 to 4 weeks

Seller Managed Delivery

Shipping is offered and managed by the seller, through a shipper of the seller’s choice.

Available on items at the seller’s discretion.

Seller Managed Local Delivery

Local curbside delivery is offered and managed by the seller, within a limited geography.

Following purchase, a confirmation email is sent to the confirmation email address associated with the order, and includes: Pickup Verification Code & Seller’s contact information

Please contact the seller within 5 days to coordinate delivery.

Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, C. 1820

Details

Description

Shipping Options

Standard Returns & Cancellations

Extended Return for Trade

Questions about the item?

Related Collections

Almost done

Sign up for texts and get $50 Off.*

Is text preferable for you?

Sign up below.

For the fastest insider access.

Thanks for joining Chairish!