Pair Of Engraved Plates After Jean-charles Delafosse - Angel Bed And Italian Bed,
Pair of 18th-century engraved plates, after Jean-Charles Delafosse, depicting two designs for ceremonial beds: a lit d'ange, or French bed, and a lit à l'italienne.
These two prints come from the world of ornamental collections published in the second half of the 18th century, designed to disseminate the new models of Parisian taste to craftsmen, architects, carpenters, sculptors, upholsterers and enlightened amateurs. They testify to the extraordinary wealth accorded to the bed in aristocratic interiors of the Ancien Régime, where it was not just a piece of furniture for use, but a veritable element of textile architecture and representation.
The first plate presents a spectacular angel bed, characterized by its suspended sky, shorter than the bed, with no visible columns, animated by drooping draperies, garlands, plumes and abundant decoration. This typology, highly sought-after in the 18th century, gives the bed an airy, theatrical, almost scenographic silhouette.
The second plate shows an Italian-style bed, with a more enveloping, architectural design. The scrolled brackets, skilfully ordered draperies and overall movement of the composition reflect the 1760-1770 taste for new forms, between late Rocaille fantasy and the search for a more classical order.
Jean-Charles Delafosse (1734-1789) occupies an important place in the history of French decorative arts. As an architect, ornamentalist, painter and engraver, he was one of the leading exponents of the new taste in the second half of the 18th century. His work is situated at a pivotal moment: still nourished by rocaille flexibility, it already heralds the Louis XVI taste, the return to architecture, symmetry, trophies, garlands, vases and ornaments inspired by Antiquity. Delafosse published Nouvelle iconologie historique from 1768 onwards, and his models circulated widely in Parisian artistic and craft circles via engravers and print publishers.
These two engravings perfectly illustrate the role of ornamentalists in the 18th century: designing, inventing and disseminating forms. The bed becomes a veritable decor in itself, combining joinery, sculpture, trimmings, fabrics, draperies and architectural imagination. The ensemble reflects this refined period, when ceremonial furniture played a full part in staging the interior.
The two prints are presented in an attractive 19th-century frame, consisting of a gilded wood and stucco moulding decorated with small foliage scrolls. The soft, elegant gilding harmoniously complements the antique character of the plates.
Good condition. The engravings show some very light foxing and small traces of age, normal for antique plates. The frame is also in good condition, with a few small, discreet chips to the gilding.
Dimensions: Framed: 73.5 x 55 cm Viewed: 62.5 x 44.5 cm
A decorative and documentary set of fine quality, particularly interesting for a lover of 18th-century French decorative arts, ornamentation, antique furniture or the history of interior decoration.
These two prints come from the world of ornamental collections published in the second half of the 18th century, designed to disseminate the new models of Parisian taste to craftsmen, architects, carpenters, sculptors, upholsterers and enlightened amateurs. They testify to the extraordinary wealth accorded to the bed in aristocratic interiors of the Ancien Régime, where it was not just a piece of furniture for use, but a veritable element of textile architecture and representation.
The first plate presents a spectacular angel bed, characterized by its suspended sky, shorter than the bed, with no visible columns, animated by drooping draperies, garlands, plumes and abundant decoration. This typology, highly sought-after in the 18th century, gives the bed an airy, theatrical, almost scenographic silhouette.
The second plate shows an Italian-style bed, with a more enveloping, architectural design. The scrolled brackets, skilfully ordered draperies and overall movement of the composition reflect the 1760-1770 taste for new forms, between late Rocaille fantasy and the search for a more classical order.
Jean-Charles Delafosse (1734-1789) occupies an important place in the history of French decorative arts. As an architect, ornamentalist, painter and engraver, he was one of the leading exponents of the new taste in the second half of the 18th century. His work is situated at a pivotal moment: still nourished by rocaille flexibility, it already heralds the Louis XVI taste, the return to architecture, symmetry, trophies, garlands, vases and ornaments inspired by Antiquity. Delafosse published Nouvelle iconologie historique from 1768 onwards, and his models circulated widely in Parisian artistic and craft circles via engravers and print publishers.
These two engravings perfectly illustrate the role of ornamentalists in the 18th century: designing, inventing and disseminating forms. The bed becomes a veritable decor in itself, combining joinery, sculpture, trimmings, fabrics, draperies and architectural imagination. The ensemble reflects this refined period, when ceremonial furniture played a full part in staging the interior.
The two prints are presented in an attractive 19th-century frame, consisting of a gilded wood and stucco moulding decorated with small foliage scrolls. The soft, elegant gilding harmoniously complements the antique character of the plates.
Good condition. The engravings show some very light foxing and small traces of age, normal for antique plates. The frame is also in good condition, with a few small, discreet chips to the gilding.
Dimensions: Framed: 73.5 x 55 cm Viewed: 62.5 x 44.5 cm
A decorative and documentary set of fine quality, particularly interesting for a lover of 18th-century French decorative arts, ornamentation, antique furniture or the history of interior decoration.
650 €
Period: 18th century
Style: Louis 15th - Transition
Condition: Condition of use
Material: Paper
Reference (ID): 1765499
Availability: In stock
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