Empire Style Living Room Set In Mahogany And Gilt Bronze, France, Late 19th Century

Description

French living room set consisting of a two-seater sofa and two matching armchairs, crafted in the Empire style in the late 19th century. All three pieces feature straight lines, rectangular backs, and tapered front legs. The warm depth of the mahogany contrasts with the luster of the gilded bronze and the red upholstery, enlivened by a delicate pattern of lozenges.

The front supports of the armrests are formed by winged caryatids with female busts, crowned with wreaths of small flowers. Their raised wings extend beneath the armrests and constitute the set’s principal sculptural element. The front legs terminate in gilded bronze feet shaped like lion’s paws. The legs are embellished with applied decorations featuring palmettes, scrollwork, and floral motifs. The belt rails and lower sections of the backrests feature foliage compositions surrounding central rosettes.

The upper crossbar of each backrest features two winged chimeras facing each other, positioned on either side of a female mascaron and joined by plant scrollwork. This ornamentation, combining mythological figures, palmettes, rosettes, and lion’s paws, consistently reflects the neoclassical vocabulary of the Empire style. The straight armrests, fitted with padded cuffs, reinforce the architectural character of the chairs.

Technique and Materials

Mahogany frame. Gilded bronze applied decoration comprising winged caryatids, clogs, ornamental drapery, and crossbar motifs. Seats, backs, and armrests are padded and upholstered in high-quality Italian fabric—red with a subtle diamond pattern—edged with coordinating braid.

Date

France, late 19th century. The linear silhouette, the use of mahogany, the gilded bronze, the winged figures, and the lion’s-paw feet reflect a historicist interpretation of early 19th-century Empire furniture.

Condition

The set has been restored and is ready for use. The wood has been cleaned and refinished, the bronze fittings cleaned, and the upholstery and fabric completely replaced. The set presents a uniform appearance, with subtle signs of wear consistent with its age.

Use and Purpose

Intended for a living room, library, or reception room, this set can serve as a standalone group arranged around a coffee table or complement a classical, neoclassical, or eclectic interior.

Dimensions

Sofa:
height - 97 cm
width - 122 cm
depth - 59 cm
seat height - 43 cm

Armchairs:
height - 97 cm
width - 60 cm
depth - 57 cm
seat height - 43 cm