Mid 19th Century Charles X Style Pair of French “Antique Master” Chairs in Wood and “Cuoio”

We kindly suggest you read the whole description, as we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Fascinating and rare pair of ” Antique Master” chairs with armrests; they have been made from excellent oak wood; the imposing backrest is rectangular and an elegant rounded finish has been placed on the upper side; the front legs are slightly cabriole, while the back legs are a continuation of the backrest; both the wide and comfortable seat and the backrest are upholstered and covered with real leather in a refined green hue; extraordinary and original are the armrests, they have a refined swan-neck curvilinear course, they depart from the middle of the backrest and connect with the front legs, schematically and iconic represent two dolphins superbly carved by a Master cabinetmaker. These are two distinctive features of the Charles X style, the style in which the chairs were made. Another fascinating feature in the chairs is the color that the wood has taken on with time, especially the armrests have such a distinctive look with their beautiful wear and tear, that we did not consider doing any restoration because the surface veiled patina of the chairs and their small imperfections make them truly alluring and fascinating and attest to their antiquity and authenticity. We have to clarify the upholstery of the chairs, we specified that it is “cuoio” and not “pelle,” unfortunately in English, there is only one translation for the two words: “leather.” In Italian, the term “cuoio” refers to very stiff leather (shoe soles, horse saddles) or stiff leather (upper part of shoes) tanned exclusively with vegetables. In contrast, the term “pelle” (leather) refers to all types of leather, whether tanned with chrome, alum, vegetable, or synthetic tanning methods. They were created between 1830 and 1835 in a cabinetmakers’ workshop in the French town of Liffon-le-Grand located in the Vosges department in the Grand Est region. The Restoration style, born after the fall of the Napoleonic Empire (1814) is often called “Charles X” because it was under this ruler that it took on more pronounced characteristics. Charles X aimed to restore the prestige of the monarchy and this influenced the aesthetics of the period. The Charles X style is known for its refinement and elegance. Furniture from this period is often characterized by intricate detailing and workmanship, reflecting a desire for luxury and refinement. The Charles X style represents a transitional phase in French furniture design, combining elements of the past with a renewed emphasis on luxury and elegance. It is prized for its graceful lines, meticulous craftsmanship, and integration of historical influences into a refined aesthetic. Antique Master (or King) chairs are generally larger than normal, and would have been made for members of royal houses, Masonic leaders, schoolmasters, council leaders, and heads of families; anyone who owned and sat in a Master chair ensured a position of authority over the group. Our chairs, with all their delightful period detailing, exude exceptional craftsmanship and with their classic form, they fit easily into any style of decor. The chairs are in good original condition, the seat leather has slight imperfections due to time as amply documented by the photos. Measurements width cm.59, depth cm.48, height cm.89, seat cm.42. We use special packing materials (custom-made wooden crates, styrofoam, etc.) for maximum protection and safety of the items.