Charming and rare pair of Charles X "Antique Master" chairs with armrests. They are made of fine oak. The imposing backrest is rectangular and the upper side has an elegant rounded finish; the front legs are slightly cabriole, while the back legs are a continuation of the backrest. Both the wide, comfortable seat and backrest are padded and upholstered in real leather in a refined green shade. Extraordinary and original are the armrests, which have a refined swan-neck curvilinear course; they start from the middle of the backrest and connect with the front legs, schematically and iconically representing two dolphins superbly sculpted by a master cabinetmaker. These are two distinctive features of the Charles X style in which the armchairs were made. Another fascinating feature is the colour that the wood has taken on over time, especially the armrests look so distinctive with their beautiful wear, that we did not consider doing any restoration work because the armchairs' veiled surface patina and their small imperfections make them truly alluring and fascinating and attest to their antiquity and authenticity. We must clarify the upholstery of the chairs, we have specified that it is "cuoio" and not "pelle", unfortunately in English there is only one translation of the two words: "leather". In Italian, the term "cuoio" refers to very stiff leather (soles of shoes, saddles of horses) or stiff leather (upper parts of shoes) that is exclusively vegetable tanned. In contrast, the term "leather" ("pelle") refers to all types of leather, whether tanned using chrome, alum, vegetable or synthetic tanning methods. These armchairs were created between 1830 and 1835 in a cabinet-making workshop in the French town of Liffon-le-Grand located in the Vosges department in the Grand Est region. The Restoration style, born after the fall of the Napoleonic Empire (1814) is often referred to as "Charles X" because it was under this sovereign that it took on more pronounced characteristics. Charles X aimed to restore the prestige of the monarchy and this influenced the aesthetics of the period. The Charles X style is known for its refinement and elegance. Furniture from this period is often characterised by intricate detailing and workmanship, reflecting the desire for luxury and refinement. The Charles X style represents a transitional phase in French furniture design, combining elements of the past with a renewed emphasis on luxury and elegance. It is prized for its graceful lines, meticulous craftsmanship and integration of historical influences into a refined aesthetic. "Antique Master" (or "King") chairs are generally larger than normal and were made for members of royal houses, Masonic leaders, schoolmasters, heads of councils and heads of families; whoever owned and sat in a "Master" chair ensured a position of authority over the group. Our chairs, with all their delightful period detailing, exude exceptional craftsmanship and with their classic form, they fit easily into any style of furniture. The chairs are in good original condition, the "cuoio" of the seat has slight imperfections due to time as amply documented by the photos. Seat height: 41 cm.
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SILVER Seller in Prato, Italy
