A La Reine Armchair With Curved Back, Stamped L. Delanois. Paris, Around 1765-1768

Armchair à la Reine with curved back Painted beech Stamped L. DELANOIS on the front crosspiece Louis Delanois (1731-1792), received master on July 27, 1761 Paris, Louis XV period, circa 1765-1768 Width: 72 cm Total depth: 72 cm / Seat depth: 56 cm Total height: 96.5 cm / Seat height: 46 cm ----- In 1767 and 1768, we often encounter in Delanois's account book the expression round waistband ( it then appears only once in 1769 and 1771). These are mainly Queen's armchairs, the price of which varied between 8 and 16 pounds each [Eriksen 1968, p.30]. Eriksen, for whom it is indisputable that the expression relates to the shape of the backrest, illustrates this model with an armchair from the Georges Bozo collection in Alençon, identical in all respects to our copy [Ibid., plate V]. ----- On the forefeet, there is a characteristic feature of Delanois: the molding in the middle is led to the extremity of the foot [Ibid., plate III]. Note the very interesting assembly marks (number V) engraved under the armrests and marked in black on the front crosspiece; it should not be forgotten that Delanois, who employed at the height of his activity between 35 and 40 workers, could deliver in a single order up to 64 armchairs to the Queen! [Ibid., p.58]. Hence the imperative need to mark the different elements of the same seat with the same number. ----- Our armchair is in very good condition. The woods are sound and strong. The lacquer, probably original, has a superb patina. Covered with Grand ananas lampas from Maison Germain, in Lyon. ----- ERIKSEN 1968 Svend Eriksen, Louis Delanois, seat carpenter (1731-1792), de Nobele, Paris 1968