17,408  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY 25  ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAY NEW ARRIVALS
ID #SA1197171
FOR SALE
£300
Email
Save
Pair of French Gilt Decorative Armchairs
Arundel Decorative
for sale €351     $381
£300
Arundel Decorative

Arundel Decorative

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2026
View Dealers Stock Page
  • About Us
    Decorative french and period english furniture
Id #SA1197171
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Pair of French Gilt Decorative Armchairs

1900 - 1920
Description

A wonderfully flamboyant pair of French gilt theatrical armchairs, dating from the 1920s and brimming with stage-worthy glamour. These chairs capture the exuberance of early 20th-century decorative style, with boldly carved frames finished in warm, time-softened gilding that catches the light beautifully.

The seats are upholstered in a rich rose-toned fabric with deep buttoning to the backs, adding texture and a touch of opulence. Generously padded arms and elegant cabriole legs complete the silhouette, giving the chairs a confident, luxurious presence.

Originally created for theatrical or decorative use, they have that irresistible blend of drama and charm—perfect as accent chairs, boutique-style statement pieces, or photogenic props in creative interiors. They bring instant character to any room and are ideal for those who love French design with a playful, glamorous twist.

A striking and highly decorative pair with real personality.

Delivery can be arranged nationwide, please contact me for further details

Physical Dimensions
Height
110cm (43.31")
Width
66cm (25.98")
Depth
58cm (22.83")
Declaration

Arundel Decorative has dated this French Giltwood Armchairs Pair to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1197171
Description
A wonderfully flamboyant pair of French gilt theatrical armchairs, dating from the 1920s and brimming with stage-worthy glamour.
These chairs capture the exuberance of early 20th-century decorative style, with boldly carved frames finished in warm, time-softened gilding that catches the light beautifully.
Arundel Decorative
fig 1. A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs.
fig 1. Pair of French Gilt Decorative Armchairs

The seats are upholstered in a rich rose-toned fabric with deep buttoning to the backs, adding texture and a touch of opulence. Generously padded arms and elegant cabriole legs complete the silhouette, giving the chairs a confident, luxurious presence.

fig 2. A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs.
fig 2. Pair of French Gilt Decorative Armchairs

Originally created for theatrical or decorative use, they have that irresistible blend of drama and charm—perfect as accent chairs, boutique-style statement pieces, or photogenic props in creative interiors. They bring instant character to any room and are ideal for those who love French design with a playful, glamorous twist.

A striking and highly decorative pair with real personality.

Delivery can be arranged nationwide, please contact me for further details

Height
110cm (43.31")
Width
66cm (25.98")
Depth
58cm (22.83")
Date of Manufacture

Arundel Decorative has dated this French Giltwood Armchairs Pair to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1197171
Arundel Decorative
Arundel Decorative
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2026

Decorative french and period english furniture

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Arundel Decorative Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs.
1 / 9
Archive I A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs.

Pair of French Gilt Decorative Armchairs

Archive II A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs. View II
Archive III A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs. View III
Archive IV A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs. View IV
Archive V A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs. View V
Archive VI A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs. View VI
Archive VII A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs. View IX
FURTHER BROWSING

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07967 604264
Location
Merchants Hall
Rear of 18 High Street
Arundel
West Sussex
BN18 9AB
United Kingdom
Verified Since Jan 2026
Items For Sale 34
Items Sold 13
Arundel Decorative
Arundel Decorative
Verified Since Jan 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: Merchants Hall, Rear of 18 High Street, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AB, United Kingdom
Verified
Jan 2026
For Sale
34
Sold
13
A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs.
Pair of French Gilt Decorative Armchairs
Ref: SA1197171
A pair of French giltwood armchairs featuring carved gold leaf frames, button-tufted red velvet backrests, padded armrests, and fluted turned legs.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Louis XVI style seating is characterised by Neoclassical design principles, featuring straight geometric lines, fluted turned legs, and classical motifs such as rosettes and leaf carving. Giltwood armchairs from this movement typically display carved timber frames finished with gold leaf and upholstered backs and seats.

Traditional construction involved carved beechwood or walnut frames coated in a gesso base before applying thin sheets of gold leaf, known as water gilding or oil gilding. Upholstery utilised natural materials such as horsehair padding, burlap webbing, copper coil springs, and silk or velvet fabrics secured with decorative brass studs.

Authentic period giltwood exhibits characteristic wear where the reddish or grey clay base, known as bole, shows through the gilded surface in high-touch areas. Frame joinery typically relies on pegged mortise and tenon joints, while hand-carved decorative elements show minor asymmetry compared to modern machine-made reproductions.

A pair of giltwood armchairs can serve as statement accent seating when placed opposite a sofa or flanking a fireplace. The rich gilded frames and deep fabric hues provide visual contrast when set against neutral minimalist backdrops or paired with contemporary art.

Giltwood finishes are sensitive to moisture and chemical cleaners; dusting should be performed using a soft, dry camel-hair brush. Upholstery requires light vacuuming with a soft brush attachment, while exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided to prevent fabric fading and timber cracking.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories