Four Armchairs, Figured Birch, Russian/baltic Biedermeier, Circa 1835–40

Set of four identical armchairs in burl birch (Karelian birch), circa 1835–40. The backs consist of wide planks sloping backward; the legs end in saber-shaped feet. This silhouette echoes the ancient form of the klismos, adopted during the Neoclassical and Biedermeier periods.

The armrests are strongly curved and terminate at the front with a distinctive spiral volute and fine rosewood inlays, considered hallmarks of high-quality Russian furniture from this period. The seat tapers toward the back, narrowing from a usable width of 53 cm (external measurement 60 cm) at the front to a usable width of 38 cm (external measurement 44 cm) at the back.

Each backrest is adorned with dark inlay: a symmetrical palmette and delicate floral motifs. Delicate dark wood inlays on a light background are the characteristic decorative feature of Russian Biedermeier, which is significantly more ornate here than the more understated German Biedermeier of the same period.

The veneer features the finely mottled, almost eye-shaped grain of Karelian birch, a honey-colored wood that was considered the hallmark of high-quality furniture in the Russian and Baltic regions.

Upholstery and Trim

The seats have been newly upholstered and covered with fabric from Höpke: Baronesse collection, fabric type Valetto 754. The fabric is highly lightfast and colorfast, resistant to chlorine and saltwater, and flame-retardant. The upholstery has been designed so that the cover fabric can be replaced at any time by an upholsterer without altering the structure of the padding.