Pair of Gondola Seats, Attributed to A. Gaillard, Empire Period (1804-1815)

This pair of Empire period mahogany and mahogany veneer gondola-backed armchairs are attributed to the Parisian chair carpenter Antoine Gaillard. In 1811, Antoine Gaillard supplied the Imperial Furniture Repository with a set of mahogany chairs, including a series of twelve gondola armchairs. This model is referenced in Denise Ledoux-Lebard's book "Le mobilier français du XIXe siècle" (19th century French furniture) (page 213) as well as in Jean-Pierre Samoyault's "Meuble français Consulat et Empire" (fig. 441, page 255).

The armrest consoles form a long, cavetto-shaped curve. This configuration is typical of so-called "officer's armchairs," a term defining seats whose armrest consoles allow the officers' sabers to pass through to the side when seated.

The front legs are called "Etruscan"; they have a square, sheathed, and slightly curved section, like the back legs. This shape is also called "saber." The arched backrest is finished with a small scroll at the back. The armrests, finished with water leaves, connect directly to the backrest with a long curve. The armrest consoles are carved at their base with a four-leaf rosette. This stylized "style" is an evolution of the "horn of plenty."

"The gondola shape, more enveloping, is experiencing a real boom because it is being used not only in boudoirs and study rooms, but also in bedrooms, certainly for reasons of comfort." » In order to furnish numerous bedrooms, the Imperial Furniture Repository commissioned several Parisian cabinetmakers to create sets of mahogany chairs known as "gondola" chairs in 1811. The model we are presenting is the one stamped by Antoine Gaillard and preserved at the Mobilier National, under inventory numbers GMT-11445-000 and GMT-10703-000.

This pair of armchairs is made of solid mahogany and mahogany veneer over beech wood.

Comfortable seats with thick cushions, this pair of bergère chairs are upholstered in their antique "buttercup" velvet, held in place with nails. This velvet is in a beautiful state of preservation, without stains or tears.

The wood of the chairs is in good condition, with some old restorations. The wood has been cleaned to enhance the beautiful colors of the mahogany.

Sources:

- "French Furniture: Consulate and Empire" by Jean-Pierre Samoyault, published by Gourcuff Gradenico.

- "19th Century French Furniture" by Denise Ledoux-Lebard, published by de l'amateur.

Dimensions:

Backrest height: 88 cm

Seat height: 43 cm

Width: 64 cm

Depth: 54 cm

Ref: D2JLWDCRJA