Viennese Biedermeier Seating Group: Sofa And Two Armchairs, Mahogany, Circa 1810

Three-piece seating group from the Vienna Biedermeier period, consisting of a sofa and two matching armchairs. The frames are mahogany veneered on softwood and polished to a high gloss.

The backrests culminate in a continuous, curved cresting that rolls into volutes on the sides. Centered on the sofa backrest is an eagle with outstretched wings, standing on an oak leaf wreath.

All decorative elements are fully sculpted from solid wood, not cast or applied. The execution is consistently fine: each feather of the eagle is individually rendered, wings and tail feathers are fully drawn to the tips, and the oak leaves of the wreath are shaped with veins and acorns.

The armrests rest on carved caryatids — female half-figures with finely detailed facial features and locks of hair falling to the sides. The body transitions into a drapery and below that into a strong acanthus volute, whose foliage is plastically undercut and ends in a scrolled snail motif. The figures are painted in dark tones, and the draperies and foliage are gilded.

The front legs of the sofa are designed as lion's paws: the leg hair is carved in fine, staggered strands and painted greenish, the paw with individually modeled toes and pads, gilded. The armchairs stand on angular front legs with similarly carved paw feet. The hind legs are designed as saber legs.

Condition and Restoration

The seating group has been professionally restored and is ready for use. The original paintwork and gilding have been preserved; only minor details have been touched up. Crazing and age-related marks on the carving and gilding are therefore retained and document the original finish.

Seats and backs have been newly upholstered and covered with a fabric from Zimmer + Rohde — a light greenish-yellow fabric, edged with a light trim.

Dimensions and Execution

Sofa:

• Width: 160 cm
• Overall depth: 65 cm
• Back height: 95 cm (without eagle) / 114 cm (with eagle)
• Armrest height: 73 cm
• Seat height: 47 cm
• Seat depth: 51 cm

Armchair (each):

• Back width: 69 cm
• Overall depth: 62 cm
• Back height: 98 cm
• Armrest height: 71 cm
• Seat height: 47 cm
• Seat depth: 51 cm
• Material: Mahogany veneered on softwood
• Decor: carved and gilded eagle on oak leaf wreath, caryatids with acanthus volutes, lion's paw feet
• Features: one sofa, two armchairs
• Upholstery: newly upholstered, fabric by Zimmer + Rohde
• Origin: Vienna
• Period: circa 1810, Viennese Biedermeier
• Condition: professionally restored, ready for use; original paintwork and gilding preserved, minor details touched up