A rare, late-17th century, Piedmontese walnut armchair walnut open armchair crisply carved with two rams holding a coat of arms

The deep, upper, back panel with a crisply, carved, foliate cresting and two mountain rams holding a coat of arms, the shield with a star either side of a quiver. A smaller back panel with carved foliate cresting below. The uprights surmounted with scrolls and decorated with crisp gadrooning. The shaped arms with scroll ends. The seat re-upholstered in a modern reproduction of late-17th century, floral needlework. The front uprights with baluster turning, applied geometric tablets and the legs with a repeat of the gadrooning. The front upper stretcher bearing the initials H' & M' either side of a cartouche bearing a shield with a cross within a circle. The side and back stretchers all shaped and with a repeat of the foliate carving. Excellent original colour and patina. Last quarter of the 17th century.

Back Height 119 cm., 3ft., 11 in., Seat Height 57 cm., 1 ft., 10 ½in.
Overall Width 65 cm., 2ft., 1 ½ in.,

Pieces of furniture bearing armorial devices are rare. Although it has not been possible to identify the arms on this chair, it conveys a sense of the character and charm of the owner through the playful rams, the fluid foliate ornament and the initials and lower cartouche. The quality of this armchair is exceptional throughout; the solid walnut, the crisp and fluid carving throughout and the wonderful, lustrous patina that it has developed over time.