Large "sultane" Sofa From The Louis XVI Period

Made of carved wood with a pale green finish, featuring molded trim, fluted and serrated legs and posts, with the front posts topped by small decorative elements shaped like plumes. Straight backrest with wraparound side panels,
side armrests, and a straight apron resting on five legs, including a central front leg.

Upholstered in damask fabric with a red background and floral design, featuring alternating bands of golden yellow and red.

Louis XVI period, 18th century.
H. approx. 106 cm – W. approx. 202 cm – D. approx. 69 cm.
Restorations and repairs from use.

Note: 
Rare and spectacular in its dimensions, this so-called “Sultane” sofa belongs to the family of large parlor seats that appeared in the second half of the 18th century, whose forms reflect the then-very-fashionable taste for refined interiors and Eastern exoticism.
The term “sultane,” sometimes associated with that of “ottoman,” refers to a large sofa designed to provide a particularly comfortable seat. The Louvre, in particular, houses a remarkable sofa, or “sultane,” crafted in the last quarter of the 18th century, which was part of the furnishings of the Count of Artois’s Turkish cabinet at the Palais du Temple.

The red-and-gold damask upholstery with floral motifs and vertical stripes enhances the theatrical and aristocratic
character of the piece. It provides a particularly striking contrast with the green-stained wood.