Fine pair of Louis XVI mahogany side chairs, each with a balloon back surrounding a pierced splat; over the upholstered seat; on turned and carved tapering legs.

France c. 1780-90
17" wide x 14" deep x 36" tall

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The quality of these little chairs is just superb. From the complex molding of the backs, to the delicate carving of the splats, to the twisted fluting of the legs, these chairs reflect the hand of a master craftsman. French furniture of this quality is almost always signed, but these chairs are not. While that's disappointing, it's not surprising. It was common practice that only a few chairs within a set would bear a stamp. (These are numbered 1 and 8 and came from a set of at least 12, possibly 24.) I'm not certain why that was the practice, but one explanation is that the maker charged a premium for his stamp and the client could reduce his cost by not stamping every chair.

The seats were originally caned but later upholstered. The red ticking is new. RM