A SET OF FOUR LOUIS XVI PAINTED CHAISES DE JARDIN OF UNUSUAL CURVED FORM

A SET OF FOUR LOUIS XVI PAINTED CHAISES DE JARDIN OF UNUSUAL CURVED FORM WITH HINGED CONVERTIBLE UPHOLSTERED BACKRESTS
French. Eighteenth Century.
Measurements
Height: 18"(45.7 cm); Width: 24 3/4" (62.9 cm); Depth: 14 1/2" (36.8 cm).
Research:
Of painted wood. Each white painted seat of curved rectangular shape, with narrower front apron and wider rear apron, painted to the top with a border of green foliage with red berries. The seat of each lifting to reveal an upholstered seat and backrest, transforming the stool into chair, above a frieze with block carving at each corned raised on four tapering fluted legs. Shaped wrought iron supports attached to the bottom of each rear leg for additional support. Very old paint refreshed over apparently original surface.

Provenance:
Prominent US Collection
Sold by Dalva Brothers, Inc September 23, 1994
Ex. Collection Mrs. Deane F. Johnson

Marks:
Stamped below the seatrail: DELAPORTE

In eighteenth century France, furniture-making reflected a shift in Parisian social conventions, which “became largely dominated by witty and intelligent women, the newly self-appointed arbiters of taste, who encouraged the development of a more intimate and sociable society.” In general, chairs became lower and lighter in form, making them easily movable for personal conversation. These more informal French seating trends quickly became à la mode elsewhere in Europe.

The present set of four chaises de jardins comprise a number of unusual and innovative functions. Each is constructed in a concave shape, with narrower front apron and wider rear apron, allowing them to fit beside each other to form one larger carved bench, possibly to have been placed in front of a round window bay. Alternatively, they could have been positioned contiguously to create a circle of conversation or musical performance. Additionally, the seat of each tabouret lifts to reveal an upholstered seat and backrest, transforming the stool into a more supportive chair. Shaped wrought iron supports are attached to the bottom of each rear leg to provide additional stability when in the opened position.