Louis XV Armchair By Nicolas Quinibert Foliot

Armchair (part of a large set), 1753

Stamped by Nicolas-Quinibert Foliot (French, 1706–1776)
Carved and gilded beechwood, covered with the original silk and wool Beauvais tapestry covers; H. 41 7/8 x W. 30 1/2 x D. 25 1/2 in. (106.4 x 77.5 x 64.8 cm)
The frame: Purchase, Martha Baird Rockefeller Gift, 1966 (66.60.1)
The tapestry covers: Gift of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., 1935 (35.145.9)

This Louis XV Armchair is part of a set of twelve armchairs and two settees ordered in Paris in 1753 by Baron Johann Ernst Bernstorff, Danish ambassador to the court of Versailles between 1744 and 1751. After returning to Denmark, Bernstorff commissioned this seat furniture for the tapestry room of his new residence in Copenhagen that was hung with four wall tapestries of the Amours des Dieux series woven at the Beauvais Manufactory. This chair illustrates how French furniture and furnishings were imported all over Europe for the enrichment of palaces and mansions far from Paris. The tapestry covers are woven with animal and bird subjects after designs by the painter Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686–1755).

Regence Maestricht Chair

Regence Maestricht Chair

Dutch upholstery chair, around 1730, known as "Maestricht".

Dimensions : 103 h x 55 w x 51.5 d cm.

The tendency towards Rocaille carving and the Regence taste reigning in Europe due to the influence of the French high style can be seen in the carving of the rails, but this very fine chair is totally loyal to the magnificent Dutch style which makes it so up-to-date. The legs, carved with claws, are superb (some English and American models have some decorative similarities). In its tapestry upholstered version, the additional comfort makes the carving slightly less noticeable on this great comfortable chair.

Art Nouveau Armchair

Art Nouveau armchair

Circa 1900.

Dimensions : 121 H x 63 W x 54 D cm.

Seat height : 35 cm.

This art nouveau armchair, which is not lacking in originality and graphic lines, dates from the late 19th century. It was part of the set of George Bernard

Shaw’s play “Heartbreak House”, which premiered on 27th November 1999. The play was directed by Michel Dubois, with sets by Jean-Pierre Larroche. This piece would then seem to have been in the limelight again as part of the set for a Patrice Chéreau film.

Its high pierced back gives it a look which is both graceful and dramatic. Skilfully designed with elegance, its graceful upthrust employs rigid lines with only slight curves. Its back is the key element, inspiring an almost Gothic elevation. With a rhythm created by very discreet plant motifs (bunches of grapes, leaves and stems), this chair is completely innovative.

Louis XV Blanchard armchair

Louis XV Blanchard armchair

A la reine caned armchair circa 1760, stamp S. BLANCHARD (Sylvain-Nicolas master in 1743 at age 18).

Dimensions : 98 h x 62 w x 55 d cm.

Original : private collection of a Brussels antiquarian (Belgium).

This elegant Louis XV Blanchard armchair, light a la reine, or straight-backed, armchair is the work of one of the master carpenters of the Blanchard dynasty who lived under the sign of the "Chat Blanc" at Rue de Clery. The very vigorous coup de fouet animating the arm-rest supports, the deep carving and the very Parisian curves are worthy of admiration. We also note the curious, unusual carving of the foliage on the back, with its openwork, standing away from the base at some points. This unusual, fine carving may be by the carver Jean-Baptiste-Simon Rode, of the Académie de Saint-Luc, a neighbour of Blanchard and supplier to the Count of Artois. Blanchard worked with the highly demanding Nicolas Quinibert Folliot, purveyor to the King. The seat height means that this armchair can be used at the dining table.

Charles X armchair and chair (Restauration Style)

Charles x Armchair and chair

Charles X/Restauration chair en cabriolet.

Dimensions chair : 86 h x 46 w x 41 d cm.

Dimensions Armchair : 86 h x 57 w x 50 d cm

Original : private collection (Austria).

These Charles X chair and armchair could very well be dated before the period of the last brother of Louis XVI : Charles X, but its lightness corresponds to this style. It has grace without ostentation. The Jacob legs, invented by Jacob - Desmalter will be noted. François Honore, one of the brothers running the company Jacob Freres, founded with his father Georges the company Jacob - Desmalter et Cie at Rue Meslee in 1803 (until 1925). This company was very important indeed at the time.

Venitian Armchair - Andrea Brustolon

Venitian Armchair

Dimensions:125 H x 92 W x 50 D cm

Seat Height: 46 cm

This opulent armchair, in the style fo the Venitian cabinet maker Andrea Brustolon, is a mystery at the Comédie Française. Has it been on stage, having been around since 1890? There are no clues. Did it perhaps furnish the box of the turn-of-the-century member of the Comédie Française? Whatever the case, this mannerist work of art is quite remarkable and perfectly theatrical. One could easily imagine it gracing a scene from the Merchant of Venice or Othello...

Antiques Furniture Masterpieces

Antiques Furniture Masterpieces in Photographs and Measured Drawings

The combination of Antiques Furniture Master pieces photos, measured drawings, and brief commentary makes this a great resource for designers and craftspeople. On the down side, the drawings are at weird scales (like 0'-1 3/8" = 1'-0"), so if you want to draft from them, you'll have to get crazy with the photocopier or scanner. The organization could be a little tighter-- there's a stool in the table section--, and the masterpieces aren't quite in chronological order. Still, the details are clear, and the catalog is fairly good. One hundred and two photos! Over 500 drawings! (I think this includes each view/detail.)

English Queen Anne Chair

English Queen Anne Chair

Antique English chair, around 1720.

Dimensions : 111 H x 51,5 W x 45 D cm.

Original : private Belgian collection.

Queen Anne (1702-1714) : English style corresponding to the first thirty years or so of the 18th century. It is a softer Dutch style ennobling the simplicity current during the years of Cromwell’s protectorate. This fusion with the English classical tradition produced the Queen Anne furnishing style that can also be found in North America in one form or another. This simple style even penetrated where the Rococo style prevailed, as far as Northern Italy, which was also influenced.

This beautiful English Queen Anne chair with superbly curved legs has a very elegantly and vigorously serrated belt. Its softer Dutch style, characteristic of the Queen Anne style, which penetrated British classicism and the styles of Northern Europe at the beginning of the 18th century, gives a very elegant simplicity that lived on for a long time, notably in the American colonies. The fine “rocaille” carving, delicate and discreet, should be noted.