French Renaissance chayere presenting the allegory of charity

ORIGIN : FRANCE, VAL DE LA LOIRE
PERIOD : 16TH CENTURY

Height : 165,5 cm
Width : 69 cm
Depth : 42 cm

Blond Walnut wood
Good state of preservation
Restoration of Use and Maintenance


The Cathedra, also called Chayère, is clearly the seat of a civil dignitary or a lord. In the early 16th century, after the dauphin Henri & Catherine de Médicis wedding, linear compositions replaced floral arabesques, and ribbed patterns replaced grotesques, in the furniture decor.

This beautiful Cathedra, made of molded and sculpted walnut wood, features a high rectangular backrest and a seat in the form of a rectangular knee chest, with its front adorned with two panels embedded in the framework.

It is significant of the shift of architectural forms towards furniture. The backrest's uprights, now fluted, flank the central panel. This panel, accompanied by fluted pilasters supporting a full-arched arch, surmounts the central figure.

A young woman with a graceful posture carries a child in her arms and holds the second child by the hand, who seems to want to escape. This movement brings dynamism to the scene. This is indeed an allegory of Charity being represented.

The armrests are now independent of the structure ; molded, they rest on two turned supports in the form of small Doric columns, ending in a semi-baluster with rings.

This Cathedra, made of beautiful blond walnut, is a fine example of French Renaissance craftsmanship.