What is Anglo-Indian blackwood furniture?

Anglo-Indian blackwood furniture refers to 19th-century pieces produced in India, primarily in regions like Bombay and Madras, combining traditional Indian carving techniques with Western furniture forms designed for British colonial residences.

What woods and techniques were used in crafting these armchairs?

These chairs were crafted from dense Indian rosewood or blackwood, utilizing intricate pierced openwork carving, deep relief foliate patterns, and mortise-and-tenon joinery for structural stability.

How can you identify authentic 19th-century Indian blackwood carving?

Authentic pieces feature dense, heavy hardwood with deep hand-carved relief, subtle variations from hand-tooling, original timber shrinkage at joints, and an authentic aged patina in unpolished crevices.

How do you style an Anglo-Indian armchair in a modern interior?

Place the armchair as an accent piece in a quiet corner, reading nook, or study, pairing its dark timber silhouette against neutral backdrops or rich textile cushions to balance the heavy visual weight.

How should carved blackwood furniture be cleaned and maintained?

Dust the detailed carving regularly using a soft-bristled brush or vacuum attachment, apply clear beeswax sparingly to protect the timber finish, and maintain a stable indoor humidity away from direct heat.

for sale €3,452 $3,747

£2,950

LVS Decorative Arts

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Carved Wood Throne Chair

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Id #SA1226447

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Rare & Highly Decorative Mid 19th Century Indian Carved Blackwood Armchair of Superb Quality

Name: Rare & Highly Decorative Mid 19th Century Indian Carved Blackwood Armchair of Superb Quality
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1226447
Price: 2950 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by LVS Decorative Arts

Description

A rare and highly decorative mid 19th century profusely carved blackwood armchair of superb quality and of large proportions from the Bombay area of India.

This superb chair consists of a profusely carved and pierced shaped back of scrolling and intertwining grapes, vine leaves, berries and fruits with carved bird to the centre.

The elegant shaped arms consisting of carved grape and leaf decoration, the scrolling armrests with stylised animal holding grapes in their mouths.

This leads down to a drop-in seat, in good condition, the fabric depicting an elephant (this can easily be changed by the purchaser if required).

Below the seat is a carved frieze and superbly carved and pierced shaped apron of grape, foliate and fruit carved decoration which continues around the chair leading down to scrolling carved front and rear legs.

This style of leaf carving is typical to that found in the Bombay area of India in the mid-late 19th century is often found on pieces of furniture from this region of India dating to around 1850-1860. It is thought that the highly carved furniture signified the affluence of the owner, every possible surface was covered with carving, typically decorated with foliage and flowers and later animals such as birds, lions and beasts.

Similar examples of ‘leafy vine’ can be seen in the book 'Furniture From British India & Ceylon' by Amin Jaffer, page 343-344 etc.

This chair is in exceptionally good condition for age, it is of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection.

Size:

Height: 49'' / 124.5cm

Width: 32'' / 81.25cm

Depth: 31'' / 78.75cm

Seat height: 16'' / 40.5cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

124.5cm (49.02")

Width

81.2cm (31.97")

Depth

78.8cm (31.02")

Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this Carved Indian Blackwood Armchair to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1226447

Dealers Internal Reference

LVS1410

Dealers Notes

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LVS Decorative Arts is a small family run business based in Suffolk, specialising in an eclectic mix of fine quality and decorative antiques from around the world.

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LAPADA & CINOA member

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All furniture is professionally restored to the highest of standards, using traditional methods, we feel that quality restoration is paramount to the longevity of the piece.

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INSURED DELIVERY INCLUDED IN LIST PRICE WITHIN MAINLAND UK FOR A ONE MAN COURIER SERVICE

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Worldwide shipping available, please contact us for a free quote to include professional packing and fully insured services

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PLEASE NOTE: viewing is 'By Appointment' only - please contact Liza a few days in advance to arrange this.

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Payments are accepted by bank transfer or cheque

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Please contact us if any further high definition photographs are required or please visit our own website as follows where you can zoom in on the photos:

www.lvsdecorativearts.co.uk

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You can contact Liza either by email lvsdecorativearts@btinternet.com or telephone 07703306451

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Please bear in mind: antique items for sale may have some wear and marks commensurate with their age which adds to the character of the piece.

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Thank you for viewing our stock and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.

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Description

A rare and highly decorative mid 19th century profusely carved blackwood armchair of superb quality and of large proportions from the Bombay area of India.

“

This superb chair consists of a profusely carved and pierced shaped back of scrolling and intertwining grapes, vine leaves, berries and fruits with carved bird to the centre.

LVS Decorative Arts

fig 1. A 19th-century Anglo-Indian carved blackwood armchair featuring an intricately pierced foliate backrest and an embroidered fabric seat cushion. — fig 1. Rare & Highly Decorative Mid 19th Century Indian Carved Blackwood Armchair of Superb Quality

The elegant shaped arms consisting of carved grape and leaf decoration, the scrolling armrests with stylised animal holding grapes in their mouths.

This leads down to a drop-in seat, in good condition, the fabric depicting an elephant (this can easily be changed by the purchaser if required).

fig 2. A 19th-century Anglo-Indian carved blackwood armchair featuring an intricately pierced foliate backrest and an embroidered fabric seat cushion. — fig 2. Rare & Highly Decorative Mid 19th Century Indian Carved Blackwood Armchair of Superb Quality

Below the seat is a carved frieze and superbly carved and pierced shaped apron of grape, foliate and fruit carved decoration which continues around the chair leading down to scrolling carved front and rear legs.

fig 3. A 19th-century Anglo-Indian carved blackwood armchair featuring an intricately pierced foliate backrest and an embroidered fabric seat cushion. — fig 3. Rare & Highly Decorative Mid 19th Century Indian Carved Blackwood Armchair of Superb Quality

This style of leaf carving is typical to that found in the Bombay area of India in the mid-late 19th century is often found on pieces of furniture from this region of India dating to around 1850-1860. It is thought that the highly carved furniture signified the affluence of the owner, every possible surface was covered with carving, typically decorated with foliage and flowers and later animals such as birds, lions and beasts.