Set Of Eight Parisian Neoclassical Chairs — 18th Century. Paris, Circa 1785–1795

An elegant set of eight chairs in molded, carved, and painted beechwood, in a fully Neoclassical style. Six of them date from the Louis XVI period; two others were made later in the 20th century, perfectly replicating the originals, by a workshop specializing in the reproduction of antique chairs. The backs adopt an architecture very characteristic of the last decade of the reign: a molded rectangular frame, pierced with slender columns joined by delicate little arches. This sophisticated and refined approach is a distinctive feature of the Parisian vocabulary of the years 1785-1795, a time when the decorative horizon narrowed towards linear purity and ornamentation of an archaeological nature. In spirit, one finds clear affinities with certain models from the major Parisian workshops active at that time: Georges Jacob, Jean-Baptiste Demay, and Jean-Baptiste Menant. Jacob employs this principle of openwork columns in several variations of the backs; Demay and Menant also produced models with extremely similar leg designs—tapered, finely fluted, with the precise weave of the fluting that characterizes the "late Louis XVI" period and, more broadly, the transition to the Directoire style. All three cabinetmakers mentioned also employ this same principle of a very "architectural" rectangular frame. The set offered here comprises: • six chairs from the last quarter of the 18th century • and two 20th-century chairs, faithfully recreated "from a model" by a specialized workshop (for comparison, one could cite the methods of the Mailfert workshops in Orléans, whose "from a model" creations are now fully documented on the market). The chairs are in very good overall condition. The traditional upholstery was completely redone a few years ago; the high-quality brocaded fabric (gray/gold) is clean and decorative—only minor, localized marks are noted. The six period chairs retain their traditional webbing under the seats (visible). A perfectly stable and sturdy piece of furniture. Dimensions: Total height: 92.5 cm; Seat height: 44 cm; Width: 48 cm; Total depth: 43 cm; Seat depth: 36 cm