18th Century Portuguese Embossed Leather Panels W/Heraldic Crest & Brass Studs- A Pair

Details

Description

18th century Portuguese embossed leather Panels w/Heraldic Crest & Brass studs- a Pair
Dimension 30x18x 2"

Description
Pair of … Read more 18th century Portuguese embossed leather Panels w/Heraldic Crest & Brass studs- a Pair
Dimension 30x18x 2"

Description
Pair of Antique Portuguese/Spanish Embossed Leather Armorial Panel with Brass Studs
This set is likely from the high arched back of a Portuguese dining chairs.
Material: It features thick, dark brown leather that has been vegetable tanned and heavily tooled to create deep, three-dimensional textures.
Motifs: The central focus is a prominent armorial crest or coat of arms, a common feature in aristocratic European furniture. This is framed by intricate floral and foliate arabesques.
Hardware: Large, decorative brass or copper studs (nailheads) border the sides, which were traditionally used both as ornament and to secure the leather to a solid wood frame, typically walnut, rosewood, or oak.
Historical Context
The history of these pieces is a blend of practical craftsmanship and status-driven design:
Origins (17th - 18th Century): This distinctive Portuguese style emerged in the late 17th century as a regional response to English caned chairs. While the English used cane for ventilation, Portuguese and Spanish artisans preferred embossed leather, a craft heavily influenced by Moorish "Cordovan" leather techniques introduced during the Middle Ages.
Status Symbol: During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, leather-upholstered chairs were a luxury reserved for the wealthy elite, often found in dining rooms because leather, unlike textiles, did not trap food smells.
Colonial Influence: The style reflects a global "fusion" often seen in colonial furniture from Portuguese Goa or British India, where European forms met traditional artisan skills.
Revival Period: Many surviving examples, including those with Victorian or Hollywood Regency influences, date to a revival in the late 19th or early 20th centuries. See less