Venetian Cave Chair

Grotto armchair in carved wood, back and seat in the shape of a scallop shell or stylized flat oyster, armrests finished in a dolphin's head, shell motif on the feet.
The grotto armchair is characteristic of the whimsical furniture very fashionable in the 19th century. The taste for grottos began in the Renaissance but developed with the aristocracy of the 18th century in Europe, in continuity with the Baroque and in the spirit of the giardani segreti.

The Pauly & Cie firm created models combining shells, seahorses, dolphins and conchs on new shapes such as rocking chair or confidant. It responded to the increasingly widespread fashion for winter gardens or spaces recreating fantastic marine life or an unusual atmosphere.

Great personalities had some in their collection such as Helena Rubinstein, Maria Felix, Indira Gandhi or even Henri Matisse who represented one of the models in one of his paintings.

Italy
End of the XIXth circa 1880
attributed to the Venetian House PAULY et Cie.
shipping costs excluded