Object Description
A rare and highly decorative mid 19th century profusely carved blackwood armchair of superb quality and of large proportions from the Bombay area of India.
This superb chair consists of a profusely carved and pierced shaped back of scrolling and intertwining grapes, vine leaves, berries and fruits with carved bird to the centre.
The elegant shaped arms consist of carved grape and leaf decoration, the scrolling armrests with the head of stylised animal holding grapes in their mouths.
This leads down to a drop-in seat, in good condition, the fabric depicting an elephant (this can easily be changed by the purchaser if required).
Below the seat is a carved frieze and superbly carved and pierced shaped apron of grape, foliate and fruit carved decoration which continues around the chair leading down to scrolling carved front and rear legs.
This style of leaf carving is typical to that found in the Bombay area of India in the mid-late 19th century is often found on pieces of furniture from this region of India dating to around 1850-1860. It is thought that the highly carved furniture signified the affluence of the owner, every possible surface was covered with carving, typically decorated with foliage and flowers and later animals such as birds, lions and beasts.
Similar examples of ‘leafy vine’ can be seen in the book ‘Furniture From British India & Ceylon’ by Amin Jaffer, page 343-344 etc.
This chair is in exceptionally good condition for age, it is of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection.
Size:
Height: 49” / 124.5cm
Width: 32” / 81.25cm
Depth: 31” / 78.75cm
Seat height: 16” / 40.5cm