Pair of Louis XV period Queen and Frame Armchairs

Reproduced in “18th century French furniture” by Pierre Kjelberg, page 673

Dimensions : Stamped by Louis Poussiée Master in Paris in 1739

This generous pair of armchairs is made of richly carved beech. The proportions illustrate the purest French classicism, with dimensions that give these seats optimum comfort.  In the eighteenth century, frame models were generally commissioned by wealthy patrons from master cabinetmakers: they wanted multiple upholsteries for a single series and an incomparable, braid-free finish. Chassis chairs are infinitely rarer than classic models.

These chairs bear the stamp of Louis Poussiée, about whom we have little information. This cabinetmaker, who probably died young, practiced his craft for only about ten years. As a result, his reputation is rather low compared to the quality of the few chairs we know of. We know from Pierre Kjelberg that Louis Poussiée worked with Etienne Saint Georges, who produced beautiful, well-balanced and carved pieces like ours. Pierre Kjelberg reproduced our chairs on page 673 of his book "Le mobilier français du 18ème siècle".

The line of this pair is very elegant, with particularly wide, deep moldings and taut curves reminiscent of the Regency period. The nervous carving of the decorative elements - acanthus leaves, cartouches, volutes and florets - was executed by a virtuoso hand. The motifs and quality of the cartouches are reminiscent of those of Heurtaut and Tilliard; the quality of the beech used is also remarkable, with a total absence of defects and a grain of exemplary finesse.

These seats are in remarkable condition. They have not been damaged in any way. The woods are perfectly sound, which testifies to an excellent state of conservation. They have just been restored by a cabinetmaker and the beautiful green embossed velvet upholstery has been preserved, having been little used since it was purchased from the Hôtel Georges V in Paris in 1989.