Lovely carved armchairs – Biedermeier? Scandinavian?

Im planning on starting out 06:00 AM tomorrow, and be back by lunch!

 

Curious to learn what went into the assessment that made you conclude that the chairs had some age to them? @verybrad

 

give your vehicle the once over before then..... that's a long ride !

 

Superhappy with the chairs! Next item on the agenda is to treat the leather, and assess what sort of repairs/improvements should be done.

 

Most of the chairs I have collected have been all wood American, but I have a bit of experience with upholstered furniture as well. One hint I would give you is to always examine the upholstery method and materials and history of reworking. That requires getting under that dust cover underneath the seat that obscures the internals. Sometimes you can poke a finger in a corner if not too well stapled down. I don’t think it would have made a difference here but can be hugely important if looking at furniture in earlier styles.

This is now, what, three pairs of leather armchairs? Careful, though, that looks like a big empty attic, don’t try to fill it too quickly, furniture has a habit of collecting very rapidly!

 

Really just their overall appearance and construction. Those tooled leather backs were not done yesterday. Style would have been way out of fashion by the 50s.

 

Appreciate the tip! Constantly learning, and very thankful for all inputs. Yes, three pairs, and one single club chair. My wife was against the chairs at first, but she is now against selling the French ones even though we have received auction house valuation at a significant higher price than what I paid.

I think I will try to sell these at some point. Since they only cost $70 I have some leeway with regard to experimentation (like opening the duster)

 

Make sense! Thanks!

 

Pretty cool - I've located the same chairs at a museum in Norway! https://digitaltmuseum.no/021028490900/lenestol

I contacted the curator and was told a fascinated story. The owner of the chairs before they were donated to the museum was born in 1910, and it's unknown where he acquired them. During WW2 the chairs were located in Park Vegen in Hammerfest, but during the final year of the war the family had to evacuate due to the clash between the Red Army and Wehrmacht (which were using scorched earth tactic). The chairs were probably badly damaged during this period, and later completely reupholstered and the wood treated.

 

That's a good story. Congratulations on the purchase! I'm just seeing this for the first time. Not a furniture expert, but love the posts.