Pair Of Neoclassical Armchairs In Carved, Lacquered And Gilded Wood, Italy, Late 18th Century

Pair of Neoclassical armchairs in carved, lacquered and gilded wood, Italy, late 18th century
Dimensions: L 68 x D 62 x H 101 cm; seat height 46 cm

This refined pair of armchairs was made in Turin, Italy, during the Neoclassical period, toward the end of the eighteenth century. Stylistically, both the overall composition and the design of the decoration recall the finest craftsmanship produced for the Savoy court and its circle, including the work of the cabinetmaker Francesco Bolgiè. Finely carved, lacquered in a warm white and enriched with gilding, the armchairs feature a rounded, upholstered, slightly enveloping backrest. The frame of the back, defined by a double gilded reserve, is articulated along the central lacquered band by a sequence of gilded carvings, creating a dense and luminous rhythm around the upholstered panel, covered in a light-ground chinoiserie fabric. The crest rail is adorned with a carved wooden cresting with gilded vegetal motifs; similar vegetal carvings appear at the junction between back and seat, the latter also upholstered and covered in chinoiserie fabric. The elegantly shaped armrests feature padded supports, while the wooden structure is carved with phytomorphic motifs in the scroll terminals and with gilded reserves at the junction with the seat. The seat rail presents a gilded upper border, followed by the same decorative pattern as the backrest. Beneath the lower gilded reserve runs a thinner, less projecting white lacquered moulding, visually lightening the volume of the seat and emphasizing its slender profile. The junction between the seat rail and the legs is composed of quadrangular gilded elements with a white ground and carved, gilded floral motifs. The four carved, lacquered and gilded legs rise from distinctive four-sided capitals decorated with acanthus leaves; the legs are fluted and taper downward, ending in small block feet with carved decoration. Overall, this pair conveys a high level of craftsmanship and was originally conceived for an important aristocratic salon. Today, it is equally suited as a sophisticated accent in a classical interior or as a striking contrast within a contemporary setting. Thanks to the refinement of the design and the balance between light lacquer and gilding, these armchairs are particularly well suited to enhance entrances, living rooms, or bedrooms with elegance and decorative appeal.