Pair of Italian Walnut High Back Armchairs, Kuba Fabric, circa 1950

Italian 1950's pair of walnut high back arm chairs. A highly unique pair of chairs with pronounced high shaped backs, a wide seat with dramatically carved arm rests, shaped apron, with central decorative carving; the whole supported on elegant cabriole legs. Of very high quality and exquisite craftsmanship. Re-upholstered in a Kuba fabric; a luxury handwoven textile made from softened raffia palm leaf fibers by the Kuba Kingdom in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The elaborate patterns and rich textures historically indicated high social rank, wealth, or royal status. The bold, linear designs heavily influenced famous 20th-century Western artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. The contrast of the geometric motif of the Kuba fabric with the elegant lines of the arm chairs create a very interesting, impactful and beautiful silhouette.
Italy, circa mid-20th century.
Size: 50 1/2" back height x 20" seat height x arms @ 27 1/2" wide x seat @ front 24" wide x 20" deep