Italian, Veneto
Set of Four Armchairs (Poltrone), late 18th century
Gilded wood, 88.9 x 61 x 53.3 cm (35 x 24 x 21 in.)
These four, open-sided matching Italian chairs are made of gilded wood. The seats and backs are square, padded and upholstered on the back, arms and seat with a rich red damask fabric with a formal floral design. They have sloping curved arms with rounded ends. The vertical apron which joins the seat to the legs is a gilded concave with a repeating fluted motif running vertically around the four sides with each corner meeting in a decorative stamped block. The square straight legs diminish in thickness as they approach the short rounded foot.
Raphael Room
Commentary
This set of four gilded armchairs were made in the Veneto region of Italy in the late 18th century. Originally painted a brilliant robin's egg blue and trimmed in gold, they have been subsequently re-gilded four separate times.