Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Painted and Gilt Canapé ~ Settee

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A 19th century French Louis XVI canapé settee in its original painted finish, mellowed by age into a beautiful patina … Read more A 19th century French Louis XVI canapé settee in its original painted finish, mellowed by age into a beautiful patina and accented throughout with gold leaf gilding. Found in Paris as part of a salon set, the canapé still has its original paint, and finding it in such fine condition is rare. The paint has softened over time to a gentle depth, and the gold leaf has mellowed to a warm, soft glow that only age can give. A carved urn with trailing foliate garlands crowns the center of the crest rail, flanked by a band of fluting that sweeps across the gently scrolled back.
The gilding glows against the painted finish in every detail: gilt rosettes at the corner blocks, acanthus collars on the turned and tapered legs, and a carved palmette tablet at the center of the apron. Padded manchettes rest on the arms, and the hand carved frame stands on turned toupie feet in front and saber legs behind. The vintage striped upholstery, woven with trailing flowers, remains in serviceable condition.
Neoclassicism drew its inspiration from the art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. French designers translated that classical vocabulary into furniture of remarkable grace, with straight architectural lines and ornament that was measured and symmetrical. Urns and garlands, rosettes and palmettes, and fluting borrowed from the columns of ancient temples became the language of the style. Painted and gilded finishes were a hallmark of its finest seat furniture, with soft color and touches of gold giving a carved frame a sense of lightness and elegance.
Throughout the 19th century, French craftsmen revived and reinterpreted the great styles of their past, celebrating the refined legacy of French furniture making. Louis XVI was among the most admired of these styles, and its refinement of line and delicacy of ornament feel as timeless today as ever.
Circa mid-19th Century
Measures 39H x 50.5W x 24D; seat 18H
Available at Inessa Stewart's Antiques, Dallas Design District, Dallas, Texas. See less