Viennese Biedermeier Sofa and Armchairs in Mahogany, 1810, Set of 3

Details

Description

A three-piece Viennese Biedermeier seating group, consisting of a sofa and two matching armchairs. The frames are veneered in mahogany … Read more A three-piece Viennese Biedermeier seating group, consisting of a sofa and two matching armchairs. The frames are veneered in mahogany and polished to a high gloss.

The backrests culminate in a continuous, curved finial that curls into volutes at the sides. Atop the sofa back sits an eagle with outstretched wings, perched on an oak leaf wreath.

All decorative elements are carved in the round from solid wood, not cast or applied. The craftsmanship is consistently exquisite: each feather of the eagle is individually detailed, the wing and tail feathers are rendered to the tips, and the oak leaves of the wreath are sculpted with veins and acorns.

The armrests rest on carved caryatids—female half-figures with finely detailed features and cascading curls. The body transitions into a drapery and below it into a robust acanthus volute, whose foliage is sculpted with undercut relief and terminates in a coiled scroll. The figures are painted dark, while the draperies and foliage are gilded.

The sofa's front legs are designed as lion's paws: the leg hair is carved in fine, staggered strands and painted greenish, the paw itself with individually modeled toes and pads, gilded. The armchairs stand on angular front legs with similarly carved paw feet. The back legs are designed as saber legs.

Condition and Restoration

The seating group has been professionally restored and is ready for use. The paintwork and gilding have been left in their original condition; only minor repairs have been made. Therefore, craquelure and age-related traces on the carving and gilding are preserved and document the original finish.

The seats and backs were reupholstered with a furniture fabric from Zimmer + Rohde—a light yellow-green weave, trimmed with light-colored braid.
\.] Dimensions and Design

Sofa:

Width: 160 cm
Overall Depth: 65 cm
Back Height: 95 cm (without eagle) / 114 cm (with eagle)
Armrest Height: 73 cm
Seat Height: 47 cm
Seat Depth: 51 cm

Armchairs (each):

Back Width: 69 cm
Overall Depth: 62 cm
Back Height: 98 cm
Armrest Height: 71 cm
Seat Height: 47 cm
Seat Depth: 51 cm
Material: Mahogany veneer on softwood
Decoration: Carved and gilded eagle on an oak leaf wreath, caryatids with acanthus volutes, lion's paw feet
Contents: One sofa, two armchairs
Upholstery: Newly upholstered, fabric by Zimmer + Rohde
Origin: Vienna
Period: Circa 1810, Viennese Biedermeier
Condition: Professionally restored, ready for use The frame and gilding were left in their original condition; minor repairs were made. See less