Italian, Central Italy
Four Armchairs (Poltrone da parata), 17th century
Walnut, 144 x 66 x 59 cm (56 11/16 x 26 x 23 1/4 in.)
This is a wooden armchair with an upholstered high back and seat. The upholstery is a pale peach brocade fabric with a repeating floral and scallop motif. There are large brass nails holding the fabric along the sides of the back and at the top and sides of the apron. Above the back upholstery which they sustain, the back legs are topped with carved finials. The arms and legs are made of plain, squared-off wood with the exception of the front arm supports which are turned in the lathe and resemble balusters.
Gothic Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.