Madeleine Castaing Folding Camp Chair

NAPOLEON III FOLDING COUNTRY ARMCHAIR IN BEECHWOOD WITH BAMBOO-LIKE FINISH

From the collection of Madeleine Castaing

A rare and elegant folding country armchair from the Napoleon III period, crafted from turned beech wood imitating bamboo—a design characteristic of the Orientalist and Japonist styles that enjoyed immense popularity during the Second Empire.

Its ingenious, fully collapsible structure reflects the refinement of travel and vacation furniture designed for the affluent clientele of the 19th century. The woodwork is particularly meticulous, with the legs realistically reproducing the knots of bamboo. The piece retains delicate original gilded accents that elegantly highlight the structure’s lines and contribute to its charm.

The seat, armrests, and headrest are upholstered in a beautiful antique velvet in a warm shade of dusty pink. The backrest is upholstered in a remarkable tapestry featuring a stylized floral motif in shades of brown, beige, ochre, and gray, perfectly in keeping with the armchair’s decorative style. This combination of materials and colors gives it a particularly captivating presence.

According to information provided by its previous owner, this armchair was sold to a member of his family by the famous Parisian interior designer and antique dealer Madeleine Castaing (1894–1992) before being kept within the same family and subsequently passed down through inheritance.

A legendary figure in 20th-century French interior design, Madeleine Castaing developed a unique aesthetic blending Napoleon III furniture, curiosities, rare pieces, and eclectic influences. Based on Rue Jacob in Paris, in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, she remains today an essential reference for collectors, interior designers, and lovers of the decorative arts. This provenance is particularly consistent with this armchair, whose character, elegance, and originality perfectly match the pieces she favored and offered to her clientele.

The overall condition is satisfactory. The frame is sound and stable, with no signs of worm damage. The only issue is a small visible blemish on the back of the seatback affecting the back fabric, which does not affect the furniture’s structural integrity or its appearance from the front.

Very comfortable, this armchair will naturally find its place in a cabinet of curiosities, a library, an architect’s office, a collector’s home, or any refined setting that blends antique and contemporary furniture.

Dimensions:

• Height: 102 cm
• Width: 59 cm
• Depth: 47 cm

Period: Napoleon III, circa 1860–1880.

Price: €1,150

Professional, meticulously prepared packaging included free of charge.

Free shipping provided by Galerie De Cicco.