Chairs with an X-shaped frame have a long history. Illustrations survive of ancient Greek and Roman examples. Medieval manuscripts often show chairs with this kind of frame and they have continued to be made since that time. Such chairs were often formal, even throne-like, and this example is certainly made more for show than use. The way that the back panel attaches to the seat is weak and would not stand up to regular wear, though markings under the seat make it clear that this was one of a set of at least eight chairs. Carl Svensson, who put his mark under the seat, described himself as ‘Upholsterer to the Royal court’. The chair may have been designed and made in his workshops or he may have bought it in for supply to a client. Such a practice was well established by the 19th century. The engraved pewter inlay is an unusual and elegant decorative detail.
Physical description
An x-framed armchair, of solid walnut, and rosewood veneered on oak and beech, with ebonised mouldings and inlay of engraved and punched pewter; the circular back panel, seat and arm pads are upholstered in damask (not original), probably of a rayon/cotton mix. The x-frame is set on the crossing of the front with a carved mask in solid rosewood and the ends of the arms are set with carved lion masks in solid walnut. Originally, the lions held metal ring handles in their mouths but these are now missing and both lions show damage to the jaws.
Place of Origin
Stockholm, Sweden (possibly, made)
Date
1873-1883 (made)
Artist/maker
Svensson, Carl Petter, born 1835 - died 1911 (possibly, maker)
Materials and Techniques
Veneered in rosewood, with engraved pewter inlay, the cross-banded fillets veneered in tulipwood, the carving in solid rosewood and walnut; removeable pad seat and back panel with modern upholstery in cotton damask
Marks and inscriptions
Carl P. Svensson
Kongl Hof-tapets[illegible -should be 'erare']
STOCKHOLM
11 Brunkebergstorg 11
[illeg. word] [symbol of triangle] [illeg. word]
[illeg. word - should be Finare], Snickeri-och [illeg. word - should be Tapetserarearbeten]] The stamp should read:
CARL P. SVENSSON
Royal and Court upholsterer
STOCKHOLM
11 Brunkebergstorg 11
[line illegible]
Finer Joinery and Upholstery
incised 'VIIII' on front seat rail
BREVETE
SGC[reversed]G Patented
SGC[reversed]G
Dimensions
Height: 98 cm, Width: 62 cm, Depth: 46 cm
Object history note
Purchased from H. Blairman & Sons in 1989 (RF 89/678). He purchased it from the dealer David Pickup in Burford, Oxfordshire, but no earlier provenance is known.
Historical context note
Another chair from this set was with Peter Holmes (Arlington Conservation) in 2003. Two snapshots filed in green cat. This pair may have been sold at Sotheby's but entry untraced as yet.
Labels and date
ARM-CHAIR
Designer unknown
Possibly made in the workshops of Carl P. Svensson
Possibly SWEDISH; 1873-1883
Various woods with pewter inlay
This elaborate Renaissance Revival piece bears the stencil of Svensson which describes him as 'Upholsterer to the Royal Court' at the fashionable Stockholm address which he had from 1873-1883. The design of the chair is unusual for Sweden at this period, and it is possible that Svensson merely imported from Germany for sale in Stockholm. [pre October 2000]
This elaborate piece of Renaissance Revival furniture is the first example of Swedish furniture of the later nineteenth centry that we have acquired. Carl P. Svennson, whose stencil this chair bears, had a retail shop in Stockholm and may have been a cabinet-maker. Research on our behalf is being carried out in Sweden to attempt to establish who might have designed this interesting chair.
Production Note
This chair may have been made by the firm of Svensson, or merely retailed by him and bought in from another source, perhaps a German maker
Materials
Oak; Walnut; Beech; Pewter; Cotton damask
Techniques
Carving; Inlay; Veneering
Categories
Furniture
Collection code
FWK
