Antique “His” & “Hers” American Neo-Grec Upholstered Chair Set

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Description

This elegant pair consists of an American Neo-Grec parlor set, including a luxurious gentleman's armchair and a smaller scale lady's … Read more This elegant pair consists of an American Neo-Grec parlor set, including a luxurious gentleman's armchair and a smaller scale lady's chair with lower arms to allow for the era's voluminous skirts. They represent the refined, classical revival styles that captured American tastes during the mid-to-late Victorian era.

STYLE: The set is designed in the Neo-Grec style, which was a phase of late Victorian design popular from the 1860s through the 1880s, mixed with Renaissance Revival influences. The top of each chair features a beautifully carved, prominent classical urn flanked by stylized fruit, leaves, and scrolling ears. Just below the crest is a highly distinctive dark-stained panel accented with delicate floral marquetry inlay and fine gold incised linear scrollwork

FRAME: The frames utilize geometric medallions, rosettes and clean, angular tapering down the stiles, contrasting beautifully with the plush upholstery. The front legs are structurally substantial, featuring rings and gilded accents terminating in original brass and ceramic casters for easy movement across parlor rugs.

UPHOLSTERY: Both chairs boast deep, classic diamond button-tufting along the backrests. The seats feature thick, heavily padded cushions finished with tightly pleated, ruffled borders along the lower rim.

MATERIALS: The exposed frames are crafted from premium American Walnut mixed with burled walnut veneers on the decorative panels. The underside law tag notes that the internal padding structure includes high-quality cotton felt layered over standard heavy-gauge metal springs.

UNDERSEAT TAG: When a piece of furniture undergoes professional reupholstery, upholstery workshops are legally required in many states (especially New York) to affix a new "law tag" to the underside. This tag, for the side chair, details the new filling materials used (such as the cotton felt listed here) to comply with consumer safety and hygiene regulations, representing a later intervention on authentic 1870s frames. It is also worth noting that Union-National, partially named on the tag, did occasionally take in high-end restoration work or custom upholstery jobs for their elite clients.

Signature/Maker’s Mark: Nonexistent. Reupholster: (photo #15). Lady’s Side Chair dimensions: 21.75 inches wide x 24 inches deep x 37.5 inches high; seat height: 16 inches. See less