Offered by Galerie Gilles Linossier
A rare pair of small settees known as *veilleuses*, crafted from molded and finely carved beechwood. Featuring a serpentine silhouette, they display a violin-shaped backrest, *coup de fouet* (whiplash-style) console armrests, and a shaped seat rail.
The carving, executed with exceptional refinement, features bouquets of small blossoms, rose branches, and foliage. The seat rails are centered with relief-carved bouquets framed by leafy sprigs, while the crest rails are adorned with full-blown roses accompanied by scrolling foliage.
Each settee rests on six elegantly curved cabriole legs.
The seats retain their original upholstery, now covered in coral silk velvet.
The *veilleuse* is an uncommon form in 18th-century French furniture. Suitable for both formal reception rooms and more intimate spaces, these pieces offer compact dimensions while maintaining the comfort of a full-sized settee. Their existence as a pair is particularly notable; while the model itself is distinctive, finding a matching pair is exceptionally rare.
Given the quality of their design, the elegance of their carving, and their proportions, these settees can be attributed to the workshop of Louis Delanois, one of the most important Parisian chair makers of the second half of the 18th century.
Provenance:
They bear labels reading: *Cabinet de Mr de Lamothe / Mobilier du salon rouge / Hôtel d'Oléon / 7 rue Ste Prunède Avignon*.
Louis XV period work attributed to Louis Delanois; in a fine state of preservation.
Restoration consistent with age and maintenance.
Louis Delanois (1731–1792)
Admitted as a master craftsman on July 27, 1761, Louis Delanois is considered one of the great chair makers of his era. Based on Rue de Cléry in Paris, he supplied a prestigious clientele that included leading *marchands-merciers* (luxury goods dealers) as well as numerous connoisseurs from the French and foreign aristocracy.
He is renowned for the quality of his proportions, the precision of his moldings, and the meticulous care devoted to carving. During the 1760s, his seating furniture still reflected the influence of the Louis XV style, characterized by fluid lines and finely executed foliate ornamentation. He subsequently participated in the shift in taste toward the more geometric forms of the Louis XVI style—a transition exemplified by this pair of sofas.
Works attributed to Louis Delanois are characterized by a masterful handling of volume, exceptionally crisp carving, and a consistent balance between the chair's structure and its carved decoration—qualities evident in this rare pair of *veilleuse* sofas.
Dimensions: H 102 cm x W 160 cm x D 70 cm
