Gilded Wooden Stool With Faux Bamboo Design And Chimera-inspired Tapestry, Japonism Style, 19th Century, From Au Bon Marché, Paris

Au Bon Marché side stool, Maison Aristide Boucicaut, circa 1880

Side stool made of turned wood with a bamboo-style gilded finish, sold or upholstered by Au Bon Marché, Maison Aristide Boucicaut in Paris.

The underside bears the store’s oval stamp: Au Bon Marché, Maison Aristide Boucicaut, Tapestry, Furnishings, Paris. This mark links the stool to the furniture and furnishings distributed by the Parisian department store in the late 19th century.

The base consists of four gilded faux-bamboo legs, joined by an X-shaped crossbar with a turned central element. This preference for gilded wood imitating bamboo is in keeping with the decorative spirit of the late 19th century, blending the Napoleon III style, Japonism, and whimsical parlor furniture.

The seat is upholstered with tapestry featuring a design of facing chimeras, set within a network of leafy scrollwork and acanthus volutes on a sea-green background. These fantastical creatures, with sinuous bodies, outstretched wings, clawed paws, and coiled tails, draw on a Neo-Renaissance vocabulary reminiscent of decorative grotesques. The design combines shades of cream, ochre, brown, black, and burgundy red, with a decorative central band that structures the composition.

Frame and seat are in good condition. Signs of normal wear, minor marks, scuffs, and oxidation on the gilding of the base. Upholstery in generally good condition, with slight visible signs of wear. See photographs.

Dimensions: 47 × 50 × 44 cm.

Date: late 19th century, circa 1880–1900.

Origin: Paris, Au Bon Marché, Maison Aristide Boucicaut, Tapestry and Furnishings Department.

Technique: turned and gilded wood in a bamboo pattern, point-stitch tapestry, trimmings.