Chair
c. 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, of carved and gilt walnut, the top rail carved with a wreath and a bow, with modern striped silk covers, by Georges Jacob, France, about 1785 |
| Physical description | Chair of carved and gilt walnut, carved decoration including cupid's bows with quivers of arrows, and wreaths of flowers, the upholstery of striped pink and yellow silk (modern) On this chair, in place of a single arrow (pointing left on 1062&A-1882, and right on 1062B-1882), there are two arrow tails, without tips, facing in opposite directions. The left side of the wreath lies behind the trophy (as on 1062&A-1882). There are other differences -- partly changes of mind about the design and partly mistakes -- that suggest this may have been a pattern or trial chair (even though other sets by Jacob of very similar design may predate this one). |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'G.JACOB' (stamped on underside of back seat rail) |
| Gallery label |
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| 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 | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1062C-1882 |
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| Record created | December 1, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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