Title
A Suite of Chairs
Date
late 19th century
Description
A SUITE OF CHAIRS (French, late 19th century) from the workshops of Jules Allard and Sons, with upholstery by Gilbet Cuel, Paris. Original to Consuelo Vanderbilt’s bedroom at Marble House, the suite is composed of four side chairs and two armchairs (PSNC.217.8 is also part of this original set) done in the Renaissance style. All are upholstered in red silk with gold embellishments in a stylized shell and foliate design.
.1-.4 – The small side chairs have an upholstered rectangular back panel, below this the back is carved with a grotesque mask surrounded by curling foliage and an open work splat with a repeating leaf design. The square seats are trimmed with gold braid and tassels. The chairs stand on four fluted legs connected by an H-shaped block stretcher. The legs terminate in ball feet.
.5-6 – The armchairs have a raised crest rail carved with foliate designs, cornucopias, and torch shaped finials on either end. Below the upholstered rectangular back panel the frame is carved with a pierced curling leaf design surrounding a central grotesque mask. The padded armrests connect to supports with carved lion head ends and scrolling foliate bases. The square seats are trimmed with gold braid and tassels. The armchairs stand on four tapered fluted legs with flower head capitals and acanthus leaves carved around the ends. The legs are connected by a block H-stretcher with a foliate design at center. The legs end in gadrooned bun feet.
.1-.4 – The small side chairs have an upholstered rectangular back panel, below this the back is carved with a grotesque mask surrounded by curling foliage and an open work splat with a repeating leaf design. The square seats are trimmed with gold braid and tassels. The chairs stand on four fluted legs connected by an H-shaped block stretcher. The legs terminate in ball feet.
.5-6 – The armchairs have a raised crest rail carved with foliate designs, cornucopias, and torch shaped finials on either end. Below the upholstered rectangular back panel the frame is carved with a pierced curling leaf design surrounding a central grotesque mask. The padded armrests connect to supports with carved lion head ends and scrolling foliate bases. The square seats are trimmed with gold braid and tassels. The armchairs stand on four tapered fluted legs with flower head capitals and acanthus leaves carved around the ends. The legs are connected by a block H-stretcher with a foliate design at center. The legs end in gadrooned bun feet.
Cultural Origin
French
Medium
oak
red silk upholstery with gold embellishments
Extent
.1 - .4 (sidechairs): 32 1/2" x 15" x 14"
.5-.6 (armchairs): 45" x 25 1/2" x 23"
Collection
Source
Gift of the Estate of Mr. Frederick H. Prince, 1963.
Identifier
PSNC.217.1 - .6
Related Materials
PSNC.217.8
For more information about this item, please contact its owning institution.