PAIR OF FATEUILS A LA REINE. WOOD, TEXTILE. POSSIBLY FRANCE, 18TH CENTURY.

Pair of Louis XV chairs or armchairs. Carved wood, tapestry. Possibly France, 18th century. Pair of high-backed and upholstered armchairs, cushion and armrests with a fragment in the center also upholstered of the type known as “fauteuil à la reine” due to its shape, made of carved and gilded wood. The legs have a soft cabriole shape and a heel as a bottom finish, as well as a carved decoration based on flowers, seed beads and plant elements, which can be found throughout the furniture. The backrest, high and flat, ends in a soft curve pronounced towards the center, and the arms emerge from it, in a straight line forward, until a little more in front of the middle of the seat, at which point they descend towards it, drawing a gentle curve. It is known as Louis XV, in cabinetmaking, in the style developed in France between approximately 1732 and 1765, during the reign of the monarch of the same name. It is an artistic trend that is part of Rococo, hence the abundance of curved lines, plant elements and the presence of rockeries and motifs inspired by scallops. Likewise, it is necessary to indicate that, although towards the beginning of the Rococo asymmetry in decoration was common, after a time more symmetrical schemes were generally imposed in furniture, decorative panels, etc. The “queen's armchair” typology was created, according to some experts, by the cabinetmaker Jean-Baptiste Tillard, and is one of the most characteristic typologies of Louis XV furniture, although there are also those in the Louis XVI style (and period). In any case, this category already appears in the books of engravings L\\'Art du menusier by André Jacob Roubo, published between 1769 and 1775. During the first years of the Regency (1715-23) the armchairs had short, curved legs. , the top of the backrest was slightly curved, while the backrest and arm supports were straight. The armchairs of the middle Louis XV period (1723-1750) were smaller than those of the Louis XIV period, but more comfortable. The legs were more curved, the upper back was rounded and often had a small ornamental design. The back of the chair took on a more elegant violin shape. This form became known as Chaise à la Reine, or "Queen's Chair." Compare the present example with outstanding pieces, such as those preserved in the Louvre Museum in Paris: group of four “queen chairs” dated between 1745 and 1750 (one has inventory number OA 10498 4), another pair from around 1740 (OA 10501 1 and OA 10501 2), one from the workshop of René Cresson dated between 1730 and 1740, etc. Or the chair in which the Marquise de Pompadour appears seated in the portrait, preserved in this same institution, that Maurice-Quentin de La Tour painted of her between 1752 and 1755.

· Size: 72x65x108 cms.