Chair
ca. 1785 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This chair (one of a set of four and two armchairs) bears the stamp of the most fashionable Paris chair-maker of the late 18th century, Georges Jacob. One of his principal patrons was Louis XVI's queen, Marie-Antoinette, and he supplied her with several sets similar to this one in the 1780s, for various French royal palaces. The history of the present set is not known, but the carved decoration -- including Cupid's bows with quivers of arrows, and wreaths of flowers -- suggests that it was made for a lady's bedroom or boudoir.
The upholstery dates from the 1960s (although the webbing under the seat may be original), but its square profile is based on the style of upholstery fashionable in late 18th-century Paris.
The upholstery dates from the 1960s (although the webbing under the seat may be original), but its square profile is based on the style of upholstery fashionable in late 18th-century Paris.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved and gilt walnut, with original(?) hemp(?) close webbing, and modern striped silk top covers |
| Brief description | Chair, one of a set of four chairs and two armchairs, carved and gilt walnut, the top rail carved with a bow and a wreath, the square back and horsehoe-shaped seat covered with modern striped silk. covers, by Georges Jacob, France, about 1785 |
| Physical description | Chair, one of a set of four chairs and two armchairs, of carved and gilt walnut, carved decoration including cupid's bows with quivers of arrows, and wreaths of flowers,upholstery of modern pink and yellow striped silk. On this chair, in the trophy on the top rail, the single arrow points to the right, and the right side of the wreath lies behind the trophy (in reverse to 1062&A-1882). |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'G.JACOB' (stamped on underside of back seat rail) |
| Gallery label | [Label text by Peter Thornton]
Four chairs
French (Paris); about 1785
Stamped 'G. Jacob' with a fleur-de-lys
Carved and gilt beechwood; modern upholstery
By the eminent chairmaker Georges Jacob who provided much furniture for the French royal household. These chairs were probably made for some luxurious closet belonging to a lady: the cupids' bows, quivers of arrows and wreaths of flowers would have made them particularly appropriate for such a setting at that period.
Jones Collection
Museum No. 1062 to C-1882(1980) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Object history | The choice of the pink and yellow striped covering for re-upholstery in the 1970s by Peter Thornton may have been based on the engraving 'Defends Moi' based on a painting of the 1780s by Boilly, a copy of which is in the Print Room (E.2816-1948). |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This chair (one of a set of four and two armchairs) bears the stamp of the most fashionable Paris chair-maker of the late 18th century, Georges Jacob. One of his principal patrons was Louis XVI's queen, Marie-Antoinette, and he supplied her with several sets similar to this one in the 1780s, for various French royal palaces. The history of the present set is not known, but the carved decoration -- including Cupid's bows with quivers of arrows, and wreaths of flowers -- suggests that it was made for a lady's bedroom or boudoir. The upholstery dates from the 1960s (although the webbing under the seat may be original), but its square profile is based on the style of upholstery fashionable in late 18th-century Paris. |
| Associated objects |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1062B-1882 |
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| Record created | December 1, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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