Pair of Directoire style armchairs, Tuscany, first quarter of the 19th century.

Pair of living room armchairs in solid mahogany. Tuscany, early 19th century.

The armchairs are characterized by an elegant and clear line, typical of the lexicon of the most beautiful cabinet-making of the Neoclassical period, and are further embellished with gold highlights. In particular, the backrest panel is finely carved with a motif of opposing sphinxes and separated by a flowered crater, of archaeological taste. The presence of the sphinxes as a decorative motif suggests that the furniture was produced shortly after Napoleon's campaign in Egypt (1798-1801), which had a wide echo throughout Europe at the time. The supports are obelisk-shaped, ending with inverted pyramid tips in gilded wood. The armrests have a contoured and sinuous shape. The seats are made of Vienna straw, perfectly preserved. The two armchairs have already undergone a state-of-the-art restoration, with final polishing carried out with shellac spread on a wick.

Provenance: Imola, Private Collection.

Certification is issued in accordance with the law regarding the authenticity and lawful origin of the armchairs.