Armchair Wing Sleeping Walnut Upholstered Bargello Cresting Baroque H-Stretcher
11565
A museum quality, late-17th century, walnut, upholstered sleeping armchair •\tExceptionally rare model; one of the first models of upholstered armchair with the addition of the wings intended to conceal draughts. •\tTransitional form : many of the carved features are characteristic of Baroque furniture dating from 1680 and the incorporation of upholstery is influenced by the desire for comfort post restoration of Charles II introducing French fashions to the English court. •\tStriking, statement piece. The cresting, "H" stretcher and scrollwork carving which features throughout the chair inject gravitas. •\tPractical size and ergonomic comfortable design, suitable for regular use.
The original, carved, walnut cresting supported by a pair of dragons with scrollwork either side of a central stylised leaf spray. The shaped rectangular back with wings. The sweeping arms with carved scroll ends supported by tapering turned uprights emerging from blocks. The rectangular seat supported by double scroll carved and column turned legs joined by an 'H'stretcher which mirrors the shape of the back in the centre with finial, column turned side and back stretcher and back legs. Exceptional original colour and patina. c.1690. CONDITION : re-upholstered in a recreation of 17th century, Italian, bargello embroidery which is characteristic of the period. Tiny marks, wear and losses as expected throughout the armchair. The finial is a C19 or early C20 replacement. The stretcher has suffered from worm damage and there are replaced sections at either end of 1" and 1½ " respectively, and an area to the left of the finial has been filled. This work was not done by me and has some age to it and the finial was probably replaced at the same time. The armchair is sturdy and suitable for regular use. PROVENANCE: Private Collection, Cheyne Walk, London RELATED : Few sleeping chairs survive. There are two gilded chairs at Ham House NT 1139890.1. & NT 31139890.2 and a chair acquired in 1927 in the V&A collection W.40-1927.
133.00cm high (52.36 inches high) 73.00cm wide (28.74 inches wide) 70.00cm deep (27.56 inches deep) 46.00cm seat height (18 inches high) recently purchased, more information available upon request
17th Century
circa 1690
Walnut
England
Collectors
Baroque (Of the period)
Joinery
GOOD. Wear consistent with age and use.
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