An Unusual, Baroque-Revival, Ebonised Beech Armchair With Mushroom and Cup & Cover Turnings, and 'X' Stretcher Re-upholstered in Bargello

This armchair has many characteristic Baroque features, combining the latest French designs and comfort in seat furniture design with an ebonised finish to create a luxury item for the elite market. It demonstates the revival of interest in ebony and ebonised pieces, stimulated by Horace Walpole's interest in 17th century ebony furniture believing it to be Tudor, as a luxury item for the elite market.

Called BLACK GOLD in the 17th century ebony was the most expensive wood; an instantly recognisable, status symbol, only within the reach of Kings and the Aristocracy. Ebonised furniture imitated ebony which was valued for its colour and smooth, polished, texture imitating lacquer. In the 1690s it was advised that 24 coats of seed-lac were applied, each one being allowed to dry before the next coat was applied, then polished. The ebonising on this armchair has been repolished so that the lustre reinstates the original, lacquer effect finish creating a striking, luxurious finish.

The bargello upholstery is a re-creation of a fashionable Baroque embroidery with strong colours and a glow that complements the black lacquered effect of the wood

The antiquarian stool demonstrates the revival of this taste in large, country house interiors at the tail end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century as a luxury item for the elite market.

Rectangular upholstered seat and similar back with a graduating rake for comfort, elegant sweeping scroll ended arms/elbows supported by characteristic mushroom and tapering uprights terminating in blocks with similar turnings below, joined by a shaped 'X' stretcher with a central finial, on bun feet.

PROVENANCE : Private collection, acquired to represent three different periods of European manufacture & collecting of ebonised furniture; the 17th, 18th and early-20th centuries. The other armchair now sold and a stool which is still available.

BIBLIOGRAPHY : Adam Bowett, English Furniture 1660-1714 From Charles II to Queen Anne (Woodbridge, England: Antique Collector's Club, 1988),

Back height :126 cm., 49 ½ inches, Seat height 47cm., 18.50 inches, Arm Height 26.50 inches, Width 74cm., 29 inches, Depth 71cm., 28 inches