Armchair (one of four)

Art Historical Context

This elegant armchair, one of a rare set of four, hails from the Royal Manactory at Beauvais (active 1664–1789), a pinnacle of 18th-century French craftsmanship Dated 1755–65, it exemplifies the opulent Rococo style of Louis XV's reign, blending and French influences—likely with a carved mahogany frame sourced from Britain and exquisite Beauvais upholstery. The frame's graceful curves and cabriole legs provide sturdy support (44 × 32 × 28 in.), while the seat and back are covered in finely woven wool and silk tapestry (18-21 warps per inch), a technique showcasing the manufactory's mastery of intricate, durable needlework. Beauvais was renowned for its royal commissions, producing sumptuous furnishings that adorned Versailles and aristocratic salons. The vibrant motifs of birds and flowers, vividly rendered in silk threads, evoke the era's delight in nature's bounty, symbolizing fertility and leisure amid France's Enlightenment splendor. These patterns not only delighted the eye but also demonstrated technical virtuosity, with dense warps ensuring longevity and luster. Generously gifted to The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Irwin Untermyer in 1964, this armchair invites visitors to imagine powdered nobles reclining in gilded chambers, a testament to the harmonious fusion of woodwork and textile artistry in Europe's decorative arts golden age.