Antique Carved Wooden Armchair With Caryatids In The Empire Style By Jacob-desmalter, 19th Century

Empire-style ceremonial armchair, in the style of Jacob-Desmalter, made of carved and mahogany-stained wood, with a slightly sloping rectangular backrest and straight armrests ending in posts carved with female figures.

The design clearly reflects the stylistic elements of early 19th-century Parisian furniture: an architectural structure, a high backrest, clean lines, slightly tapered front legs, and carved decoration concentrated on the armrest supports and the ends of the legs.

The front posts are adorned with female caryatids carved in the round. The figures, wearing ancient-style headdresses, feature highly stylized depictions of hair and clothing, with their busts draped in fabric. They support the straight armrests, whose upper ends are decorated with a band of lanceolate leaves and a circular motif carved on top. This type of anthropomorphic decoration is entirely in keeping with the Neoclassical and Empire repertoire developed in Parisian workshops around 1800–1820.

The front legs end in carved animal paws, another emblematic motif of Empire furniture, combined here with understated lines and deliberately monumental woodwork. The rear legs extend directly from the backrest posts and feature a slight curve.

The slightly curved backrest is upholstered with a rectangular fabric panel. The seat is also upholstered in beige damask fabric featuring a symmetrical design of palmettes, foliage, fleurons, and trellis motifs. The upholstery is accented with a light-colored braid.

The piece as a whole is reminiscent of the style of François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter and the prominent Jacob family workshop, whose furniture for imperial residences played a major role in establishing the decorative vocabulary of the Empire style: caryatids, sphinxes, female heads, palmettes, animal paws, and structures with a strong architectural presence.

I The armchair retains a beautiful antique patina. The wood shows signs of wear, scuffs, scratches, and minor marks of use. The fabric upholstery also shows signs of age, a few stains, and wear. Overall, however, the piece retains a beautiful decorative presence and a very distinctive character.

Period: late 19th century, in the Empire style.

Style: Empire, Neoclassical.

In the style of Jacob-Desmalter.

Materials: carved walnut wood stained mahogany, damask fabric upholstery.

Dimensions: height 97 cm; width 63 cm; depth 54 cm; seat height 52 cm.

Condition: shows signs of age, with wear and marks on the wood; the original upholstery exhibits visible signs of wear and tear.