Important Lyonnais Sofa With A Flat Back, Dating From The Louis XV Period, Made Around 1750-1760.

This remarkable chair features a carved wooden frame resting on six cabriole legs. It is a typical example of 18th-century Lyon production, characterized by a wide, flat, cane-backed chair composed of three panels separated by slightly inclined uprights. The overall lines of the piece are ample and elegant, with a flowing, deeply molded apron adorned with carved floral and foliate reserves. The cane-backed chair is punctuated by three gently curved peaks decorated with carved motifs. Across the entire width of the back, one can see old perforations running through the wood. These holes correspond to a fastening system designed to accommodate a laced upholstery, a traditional technique well-documented in 18th-century Lyon joinery for cane-backed chairs. The wide armrests rest on curved, double-bulged arm supports, creating a silhouette highly characteristic of Lyon production. The seat rail is particularly elegant, punctuated by carved reserves of stylized flowers and leaves. A carved triangular finial appears on the side rails of the seat rail, a detail identified in specialist literature as a distinctive feature found on certain flat-backed chairs by Pierre Nogaret, a renowned 18th-century Lyon cabinetmaker. The front legs have a typically Lyonnais, truncated conical end, adorned with a stylized leaf running along the edge of the leg. The rear legs follow the line of the front legs in a simplified version, as was the custom in Lyon cabinetmaking. All of these characteristics—the shape of the legs, the structure of the flat back, the design of the seat rail, and the treatment of the armrest supports—correspond to the defining features of Louis XV seating in Lyon, as described in specialist literature on Pierre Nogaret and his circle. The underside of the sofa also retains several crosses drawn in ink on the various structural pieces. These old marks, probably related to workshop work (assembly marks or craftsmen's signatures), provide interesting evidence of the chair's manufacture. Their repeated presence on several elements suggests an internal workshop identification mark. Through its design, the quality of its carving, and its technical characteristics, this sofa can be compared to Lyon's production of the mid-18th century, and more specifically to the circle of Pierre Nogaret (1718-1771), one of Lyon's leading chair makers. The upholstery and fabric are later additions, recently completed, ensuring protection of the caning and comfort. The wood, painted with ochre, has a beautiful patina. A very fine example of a Lyon sofa, rare for its dimensions and the preservation of its original structure. Dimensions: Width: 201 cm, Depth: 75 cm, Total Height: 99 cm, Seat Height: 43 cm