Mid 18th Century Italian Armchair in the Louis XV Style

Description

This is a beautifully sculptural walnut period armchair circa 1750 in the Regence or Rococo style associated with Louis XV. … more This is a beautifully sculptural walnut period armchair circa 1750 in the Regence or Rococo style associated with Louis XV. We love the undulating, carved arms on this chair with their exaggerated curves and bold violin scrolls without an upholstered armrest. These arms are typical of Italian furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries. See William M. Odom (1918), A History of Italian Furniture from the Fourteenth to the Early Nineteenth Centuries, for similar examples.

Other notable details are the truly asymmetrical rocaille carvings of scrolls and shells on the crest rail and the front seat rail. It’s rare to find surviving rocaille carved period furniture. We also love the slightly rustic appearance of the uneven, carved surface with pegged joints in natural walnut with a soft waxed finish.

The seat is wide and comfortably ample. It has hand-tied spring support in very good condition and is ready for your upholstery. It also comes with a down-filled, fitted seat cushion.

The chair is in good condition commensurate with its age and use. Structurally, it is very sturdy with solid joints and ready for use. As would be expected with an antique of this age, there has been some restoration. The bottom rail of the back and one of the front legs have been replaced with expertly carved pieces. One rounded bead section of one arm scroll has also been replaced. Filler from old repairs have been left as-is on the other arm scroll and on the top of the crest rail. (See photos.)

From a collector’s estate, this chair had been in their possession for at least the last 40-50 years. This is truly a remarkable find and a beautiful addition to a collection or any traditional or transitional interior. And if you want to use it in a more modern application, it’s interesting to note that Jean-Michel Frank was fond of Louis XV armchairs in his Art Deco / Moderne interiors.

Height: 38”
Width: 28”
Depth: 29”

Seat height: 16.5” without cushion and about 22” with cushion
Seat interior width: 25” at front and 21.5” at rear
Seat interior depth: 22”
Arm Height” 25” less