Louis XIV Armchair in Walnut, 1880

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Description

This armchair is indebted to the Louis XIV style and originated around 1880 during the Historicist period. Its high, slightly … Read more This armchair is indebted to the Louis XIV style and originated around 1880 during the Historicist period. Its high, slightly curved back, volute-shaped armrests, and strongly profiled crossbars give it an upright, clearly structured appearance. Historical Context: High-backed armchairs of this type are linked to the prestigious seating culture of the French Baroque under Louis XIV, in which back height and elaborate carving indicated the status of a piece of furniture within a room. Such chairs were found in salons, reception rooms, and banquet halls, establishing a hierarchical order for seating. In the 19th century, these forms were revived during the Historicist period and produced for bourgeois, representative living spaces, with machine-woven tapestry fabrics replacing the handwoven originals. Design: The chair follows the Louis XIV formal principles: symmetry, bold acanthus carving, scrolled volutes, curved legs in the os de mouton style, and a dynamic, openwork crossbar. The lines and ornamentation are dynamic, yet remain clearly defined within the overall structure; carving and construction are interrelated. Function: Formerly, this high-backed armchair served as a prestigious seat in salons and reception rooms, prominently featured in seating arrangements. Today, it is suitable as a standalone or accent chair in living rooms, offices, or entryways. Dimensions: Height 117 cm × Width 59 cm × Depth 55 cm, seat height 42 cm. Material and Condition: Walnut frame, richly carved. Upholstery in patterned floral or verdure fabric (jacquard weave). Very well preserved, commensurate with its age, with a subtle patina; signs of age and use are part of its historical character. Refurbishment at Kastellan: inspected, cleaned, treated appropriately for the material, structurally checked, stable and functionally safe. See less