Object Description
This is a beautiful set of four antique Louis XVI revival giltwood fauteuils or open armchairs, circa 1880 in date.
The giltwood is beautiful in colour, each chair features a shell carved crested toprail with acanthus clasped arm padded supports. They are raised on cabriole front legs and swept cabriole legs to the rear.
They have been reupholstered in a striking bleu celeste watered silk.
Add an elegant touch to your home with this exceptional set of antique armchairs.
Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and reupholstered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 105 x Width 68 x Depth 62
Height 47 – Seat height
Dimensions in inches:
Height 41.3 x Width 26.8 x Depth 24.4
Height 18.5 – Seat height
Giltwood
There is no doubt that giltwood furniture is an expression of grandeur and luxury. The golden hue of these pieces comes from the application of real gold leaf—a highly valued material both then and now. When it comes to buying antique giltwood furniture for your collection, there are many different considerations to keep in mind, many of which come down to personal preference.
Origins of Giltwood
The gilt gesso technique appeared in England at the end of the seventeenth century with the work of Jean Pelletier, a Huguenot craftsman who received royal patronage at Hampton Court and Kensington Palace. James Moore, a royal cabinetmaker working in the early eighteenth century, expanded on this technique with increased drama and exaggeration to the carving. Throughout the Georgian era in the eighteenth century, gilded furniture was highly prized as some of the finest furniture available as it emulated the ever popular taste for French style and décor.
The Technique
Gesso is a type of plaster that is prepared of finely ground chalk, applied onto the wooden surface in a series of layers—at least fifteen layers were needed to achieve the desired thickness. Once dried, the craftsmen could cut into the new surface to create different designs. When the designs were complete, the gilding could be applied. To gild the surface, a red clay ground, known as bole, would be spread onto the surface to prepare for the laying of the gold leaf.
Our reference: 09436a