Offered by Galerie Delvaille
French furniture of the 18th century & French figurative paintings
One armchair dimensions: Height 98.5 x Width 66 x Depth 62 cm until wall (Seat depth: 52cm )
These four canned chairs were made in Paris around 1735/1740, in the early Louis XV period. It should be remembered that the guilds of ébénistes marqueteurs were distinct from those of carpenters, who were taught to carve: the latter worked on solid wood, and created mainly carved seats and consoles. The wood used for seats in Paris was walnut until the Regency period, gradually replaced by beech from 1720 onwards. The best seat carpenters made no other furniture, and their sculptural talent was their main quality.
These seats have been carved from the finest beech wood, with no blemishes whatsoever. The carving was obviously done by a very great master sculptor, even if these armchairs are not signed. The decorative repertoire and virtuosity point the expert's eye towards an attribution to Louis Cresson, Maitre in 1738. This type of attribution for unsigned chairs, whose lack of direct provenance makes it impossible to be certain, is in truth of little value. What is essential is the perfection of the lines, the opulence and quality of the carving, as well as the finish of the wood, in which the state of conservation and the level of restoration all play a part.
These seats are richly carved on the 14 pieces of wood that make up each one. Beautiful burst pomegranates, leafy garlands, flowers and acanthus leaves are carved with great volume and clarity. The mortise and tenon joints are millimeter-precise, enabling these seats to maintain their exceptional condition. The woods are sound and solid. Completely dismantled, these armchairs have been perfectly restored, with some canework redone. The cuffs have been left uncovered to allow them to be matched with the galettes, which will be made to measure.
