Large Carved Oak Renaissance Style Armchair From France, C. 1890

Description

Hand-carved in the Renaissance style in France, circa 1890, this imposing oak armchair features a verdant tapestry affixed with iron … more Hand-carved in the Renaissance style in France, circa 1890, this imposing oak armchair features a verdant tapestry affixed with iron nailheads. The scene depicts women in red and white dresses on horseback, riding beneath an archway with turned columns and adorned with cartouches and roundels. Blue, red, and yellow flowers dotted with birds surround the figures. The seat and manchettes are fully covered, while the back is only partially upholstered, with the center section being surrounded by highly detailed carvings.

Foliate margents strewn with fruit form vertical edges to the back tapestry. On the outside of each carving is a detached, turned column that is connected to the chair by rectangular joinery embellished with a floret on the front side and topped with a toupie finial. Above the back tapestry is a magnificent arched crest with a cabochon medallion inset into a scrolled escutcheon and surrounded by busts of mythical creatures with grapevines emanating from their mouths.

Both armrests also feature mythical creatures, this time half animal/half foliate mascarons. The stumps beneath are turned, mirroring the legs and stretcher below. Four onion feet are connected to the legs by rectangular joineries, with the facing of the front joints having similar florets as the turned columns on the back. Our large carved oak armchair would make a fascinating addition to a living room or gentlemen’s study. It would also look stunning if re-upholstered in a solid white fabric. less