Louis xv chair

Discussion in 'Furniture' started by Matt Johnson, Jul 16, 2020.

  1. Matt Johnson

    Matt Johnson Well-Known Member

    A while ago I bought 4 beautiful Louois xv chairs. Ever since, I have problems dating them to the period of their origin.
    STILSKE-STOLICE-4-KOM_slika_O_42879613.jpg

    They were upholstered with this greenish brocade. Sadly only one of them survived, the other were pretty damaged. It was probably silk since I tried burning a small piece and it didn't burn like synthetics. Underneath they were stuffed with black (probably horse?) hair.

    The chairs were damaged over the years and someone tried fixing them (pretty badly tho).

    They have been upholstered a few times over the time since they have a few rows of nail holes. Some of them are almost black, I guess the iron corroded and stained the wood.
    received_206177240754767.jpeg
    received_3095403873828598.jpeg received_2745488885552255.jpeg
    There are also various cutting marks on the inside.
    received_2577577285888502.jpeg IMG_20200716_171746_420.jpg

    Beautiful carvings.

    received_670523983501843.jpeg
    received_859349357927971.jpeg received_307433953971136.jpeg

    They are kinda lower than usual chairs and a bit wider.
    I don't think they are french, perhaps italian?
    If someone could help me identify the region of origin and perhaps put them in some time frame I'd be very happy!
     
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  2. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    I think they're French ca. 1860 or so.
     
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  3. Matt Johnson

    Matt Johnson Well-Known Member

    I thought so too untill I found something similar. Ill try to find it on google again.
    Not sure about France tho, the carvings don't really look traditionally French to me?
    Thanks for your opinion!
     
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  4. Matt Johnson

    Matt Johnson Well-Known Member

    Oh I forgot to mention, the carvings on 2 go to the left side while on the other 2 they are turned to right
     
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  5. Fid

    Fid Well-Known Member

    I wonder if it isn't an Italian copy of a Louis Phillipe chair that was altered from rattan to normal upholstery.
     
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  6. Fid

    Fid Well-Known Member

  7. Matt Johnson

    Matt Johnson Well-Known Member

    I found these on google. Supposedly they are early 20th century.
    s-l1600.jpg
    The carvings are pretty similar, leaf on the leg, shape of the back.. but it seems a bit roughly done? Mine are more delicate with small details.

    After all, I have furniture from around 1910 and it has like two rows of nail holes which means they were upholstered only twice. These have like 4 rows.

    Maybe someone can help us with the wood? The inside where it has no finish, the wood gives off a very nice smell? All four of them
     
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  8. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    Probably rosewood.
     
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  9. Matt Johnson

    Matt Johnson Well-Known Member

    Thank you!
     
  10. lizjewel

    lizjewel Well-Known Member

    I believe the carvings are mirror-turned to indicate a pair. When on display in a room, or against a wall , a pair would have mirror-turned carvings for aesthetic effect.
     
  11. Darkwing Manor

    Darkwing Manor Well-Known Member

    Inconclusive forensic observations: Are those not circular saw marks in the wood in Pics 5 and 6, dating them to no earlier than mid-19th century? The seats appear wider than the typical 19th century American versions, but still not wide enough for 18th century. (Think about the parking requirements for the volume of the costume silhouette of the period). The carving does not look American either. If they were 18th century I would expect much more upholstery and gimp tack evidence.
     
  12. Darkwing Manor

    Darkwing Manor Well-Known Member

    Wouldn't gimp tacks add a 2nd layer with each reupholstery event?
     
  13. Matt Johnson

    Matt Johnson Well-Known Member

    There were different types of nails. Who ever has reupholstered it the last time hasn't removed all of the old nails. Some of them were really small, like 5 millimeters. Beside those, there were nails that were hand sharpened and some almost like nowadays nails but with biger heads.

    Those saw marks are pretty irregular for a victorian machine. Plus they don't simply go up and down but are rather cut with an angle.
     
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  14. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    Again:


     
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  15. Matt Johnson

    Matt Johnson Well-Known Member

    I got them upholstered! (And I'm currently working on the dining table)
    20201214_162334.png
    20201214_162355.png
     
  16. lizjewel

    lizjewel Well-Known Member

    @Matt Johnson Nice job, Matt! Congratulations, the ensemble looks fantastic. I just luv' to see fine antiques restored so they can be used, not just waiting for work!
     
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  17. Matt Johnson

    Matt Johnson Well-Known Member

    Thank you! They turned out pretty fancy, can't wait to use them.
     
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  18. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    The blue really pops! Do you live in a climate where they can be kept outside? Or was the photo just for displaying them here?
     
    Matt Johnson likes this.
  19. Matt Johnson

    Matt Johnson Well-Known Member

    No, I literally took the picture when they arrived from the upholstere. It always looks better with natural light, the blue color isn't as vibrant inside.
    Thank you!
     
    Figtree3 likes this.
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