Pair Of Gondola Seats, Attributed To A. Gaillard, Empire Period (1804-1815).

This pair of armchairs with gondola backs are in mahogany and mahogany veneer, from the Empire period they are attributed to the Parisian seat carpenter Antoine Gaillard, in 1811 Antoine Gaillard supplied the Imperial Furniture Store with a set of mahogany seats including a series of twelve gondola armchairs, this model is referenced in the work of Denise Ledoux-Lebard "French furniture of the 19th century" (page 213) as well as in the "French furniture Consulate and Empire" by Jean-Pierre Samoyault (fig 441 page 255). The armrest consoles draw a long curve in the shape of a cavetto, this configuration is that of the armchairs called "officer's armchair" term defining seats whose armrest consoles allow the passage on the side of the saber of the "officers" when they are seated. The front legs are called "Etruscan" they have a square section, sheathed and slightly curved, like the rear legs, this shape is also called "sabre", the curved backrest is finished with a small scroll on the back, the armrests finished with water leaves are connected directly to the backrest by a long curve, the armrest consoles are carved at their base with a 4-leaf rosette, this stylized "style" is an evolution of the "horn of plenty". "The gondola shape, more enveloping, is experiencing a real boom because it is investing not only in boudoirs and study rooms, but also in bedrooms, certainly for reasons of comfort. » In order to furnish many bedrooms, the Imperial Furniture Repository ordered in 1811 from several Parisian cabinetmakers sets of mahogany seats called "gondola", the model that we present is the one stamped by Antoine Gaillard and which is kept at the Mobilier National, under the inventory number GMT-11445-000 and GMT-10703-000. This pair of armchairs is made of solid mahogany and mahogany veneer on beech wood. Comfortable seat with their thick cushions, this pair of bergère are covered with their old velvet stamped "buttercup" held with a nail, this velvet is in a beautiful state of conservation, without stains or tears, The wood of the seats is in good condition, with some old restorations of use, the wood has been cleaned in order to take advantage of the beautiful colors of the mahogany. Sources: - "French furniture Consulat and Empire" by Jean-Pierre Samoyault published by Gourcuff Gradenico .- “19th century French furniture” by Denise Ledoux-Lebard, published by Editions de l’amateur. Dimensions: Backrest height: 88 cm Seat height: 43 cm Width: 64 cm Depth: 54 cm