Armrests

Art Historical Context

These exquisite armrest covers, woven at the renowned Manufacture Nationale des Gobel in Paris around 1766–71, exemplify the pinnacle of French 18th-century luxury textiles Crafted by designers and weavers Maurice Jacques, Tessier, and Jacquesson, the pair—measuring about 12 inches long—feature delicate floral motifs in vibrant silk and wool. Produced under royal patronage, Gobelins tapestries like these adorned the furniture of Versailles and aristocratic salons, blending artistry with opulence. The Rococo style of this period shines through in the intricate floral patterns, a hallmark of Louis XV-era decorative arts that celebrated nature's abundance with playful, asymmetrical designs. Silk provided luminous highlights, while wool ensured durability, making these covers both visually stunning and practical for high-status seating. Woven on low-warp looms by skilled artisans, they reflect the Gobelins' mastery of haute tapisserie techniques, where hundreds of bobbins created seamless, painterly effects. Today, housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art thanks to Edith Standen's bequest, these armrests offer a tactile glimpse into France's golden age of craftsmanship, where everyday objects became canvases for elegance and refinement.