Louis XVI Style Caned Chaise Longue, Late 19th Century.

Elegant Louis XVI-style chaise longue made in the late 19th century.

The seat has a particularly original and harmonious silhouette, halfway between meridian and chaise longue. Its design discreetly evokes the shape of a gondola or boat, with a large, widely-inverted gondola backrest responding to a small, equally caned footboard, creating a particularly elegant, supple and continuous line.

The entire structure is richly carved with decoration directly borrowed from Louis XVI ornamental vocabulary. On the tapered legs and on the belt, delicate bundles of rushes are held in place by ribbons, a motif emblematic of the neoclassical repertoire inspired by Antiquity. The sculpture is complemented by rows of pearls, heart-shaped raisins and stylized, knotted laurel leaves, finely accentuating the caning frames and the lines of the seat.

The caning is entirely original throughout. Made of fine, high-quality cane, it has been preserved in excellent condition. Note the double caning on both the large gondola backrest and the small footrest, a manufacturing detail testifying to particularly meticulous, high-quality workmanship. There is only a slight tear on the reverse of the large backrest, which has no effect on the overall appearance or solidity of the unit.

The structure is in a very good state of preservation and retains a beautiful old paintwork in green tones with a broad patina, with particularly decorative shades and wear. This patina, with its slightly faded charm, admirably enhances the sculpted reliefs and the finesse of the caning, reinforcing the refined, decorative atmosphere of this piece.

The large seat cushion and the small cushion have been completely redone. They are covered with a beautiful, high-quality textile, the Les Chenapans model by Brunschwig & Fils. This is a printed cotton inspired by 18th-century French decorative canvases, animated by picturesque scenes, characters, plants and exotic motifs in a refined, lively and decorative spirit. This choice of fabric works particularly well with the historicist aesthetic of the seat, elegantly underlining its character as fantasy furniture inspired by the Louis XVI taste.

Thanks to its generous proportions, the quality of its caning, its elegant carved decoration and its beautiful decorative presence, this meridienne is as comfortable as it is ornamental, ideal for a refined salon, a winter garden or an eclectic interior inspired by French taste.

Dimensions:
Length: 172 cm
Width: 71 cm
Back height: 90 cm
Seat height: 41 cm
Cushion dimensions:
Length: 136 cm
Width: 44 cm