Swiss Alp Folk Art Carved Chair, 1770s

Details

Description

A special, remarkably decorative, extremely rare and wonderfully striking antique european folk-art carved chair in lovely antique condition. Most likely … Read more A special, remarkably decorative, extremely rare and wonderfully striking antique european folk-art carved chair in lovely antique condition. Most likely made around 1770 in the swiss alps, this fabulous museum-quality historical artefact is a stunningly carved and still very usable chair, which will add a fabulously rustic, alpine folk-art aesthetic as well as cultural interest, artistic charm and historic fascination to any interior.

an incredibly rare and special chair, this was traditionally handcrafted from quality solid wood and has a charming walnut single-piece trapezoid seat displaying lovely grain, which the eight-sided legs slot into at an angle, and the back vertically. The legs are likely made from oak with the show-stopping back carved from fruitwood.

a truly captivating chair, the standout feature is its extraordinary pierce-relief carved back, which casts a stunning silhouette, and its carving depicts two intertwining figure-of-eight snakes set on a shapely plinth, topped by a carved and 1471 dated crown design. Crafted in two parts, the folk-art back carving is wonderfully detailed and vernacular in style, and the pierce-relief carving denotes it as being particularly old and rare and differentiates it from later alpine chairs, which feature solid backs onto which decorations are carved.

condition
this is in very good antique condition, especially for its considerable age. Structurally sound and built to last from quality woods, it holds the weight of an adult and can be used for seating, though we might recommend using it more as a decorative object and occasional chair so as to preserve its longevity. There are minor marks, blemishes and a few historical woodworm holes, as you’d expect with a chair of its considerable age. Overall this is a remarkable chair in really lovely antique condition and retains its authentic and wonderfully aged look. It has been treated for woodworm throughout for good measure and if well looked after it should last for another 250 years or more – please see the photos.

measurements
height - 94cm, width - 48cm, depth - 49cm, seat height - 46cm, seat width - 48cm, seat depth - 46cm, weight – 5.5kg. See less