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Antique French Vernis Martin Salon Open Armchair Druce & Co 19th Century
Sold by Regent Antiques
sold SA932503
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Regent Antiques

Regent Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2016
Browse dealers 649 items
  • About Us
    We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.
  • Trade Associations
    Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
Id #SA932503
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Antique French Vernis Martin Salon Open Armchair Druce & Co 19th Century

19th century
Sold 15 June 2026 · Regent Antiques
This “Antique French Vernis Martin Salon Open Armchair Druce & Co 19th Century ” found a buyer.

It was listed by Regent Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

A superb French walnut Vernis Martin salon open armchair, Circa 1870 in date.

The shield shaped back painted with a scene of lovers in a garden, with rose decoration to the arms. With brass plaque for the renowned Victorian retailer Druce & Co., of London.

The seat has been reupholstered in sumptuous tan leather, by Moore & Giles, with individual brass studs.

The quality and attention to detail throughout is second to none.

Add a touch of unparalleled style to your home.

Condition:

In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, waxed and reupholstered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 104 x Width 57 x Depth 55

Dimensions in inches:

Height 3 foot, 5 inches x Width 1 foot, 10 inches x Depth 1 foot, 10 inches

Druce & Co of 68 Baker Street, Portman Square, London, were established in the 1840's and were both cabinet makers and retailers of second-hand furniture. In the Marlebone Trade Directory of 1853, they described themselves as 'Furnishers,Upholsterers and Upholders for clients of discernment'.

Vernis Martin

is a lustrous lacquer substitute widely used in the 18th century to decorate furniture and such personal articles as brisé fans, snuffboxes and clocks. The process of adding bronze or gold powder to green varnish was perfected by the French brothers Guillaume and Etienne-Simon Martin, hence its name “Vernis Martin”, as Vernis is French for varnish. It is said to have been made by heating oil, copal and amber and then adding Venetian turpentine and the Martin brothers perfected the process with inclusions in the varnish, sprinkling spangles of silver plated copper wire into the wet varnish ground. Highly praised by Voltaire, it was developed to imitate East Asian lacquerware which was being imported into France during the Louis XV period. Vernis Martin was made in several colours, green, black and a golden red being the most characteristic.

Our reference: A1612x

Date of Manufacture

Regent Antiques has dated this French Vernis Martin Armchair to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
104cm (40.94")
Width
57cm (22.44")
Depth
55cm (21.65")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA932503
Dealers Internal Reference
A1612x
Description
A superb French walnut Vernis Martin salon open armchair, Circa 1870 in date.

The shield shaped back painted with a scene of lovers in a garden, with rose decoration to the arms. With brass plaque for the renowned Victorian retailer Druce & Co., of London.

“
The seat has been reupholstered in sumptuous tan leather, by Moore & Giles, with individual brass studs.
Regent Antiques
fig 1. An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat.
fig 1. Antique French Vernis Martin Salon Open Armchair Druce & Co 19th Century

The quality and attention to detail throughout is second to none.

Add a touch of unparalleled style to your home.

Condition:

In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, waxed and reupholstered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

fig 2. An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat.
fig 2. Antique French Vernis Martin Salon Open Armchair Druce & Co 19th Century

Dimensions in cm:

Height 104 x Width 57 x Depth 55

Dimensions in inches:

Height 3 foot, 5 inches x Width 1 foot, 10 inches x Depth 1 foot, 10 inches

Druce & Co of 68 Baker Street, Portman Square, London, were established in the 1840's and were both cabinet makers and retailers of second-hand furniture. In the Marlebone Trade Directory of 1853, they described themselves as 'Furnishers,Upholsterers and Upholders for clients of discernment'.

fig 3. An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat.
fig 3. Antique French Vernis Martin Salon Open Armchair Druce & Co 19th Century

Vernis Martin

is a lustrous lacquer substitute widely used in the 18th century to decorate furniture and such personal articles as brisé fans, snuffboxes and clocks. The process of adding bronze or gold powder to green varnish was perfected by the French brothers Guillaume and Etienne-Simon Martin, hence its name “Vernis Martin”, as Vernis is French for varnish. It is said to have been made by heating oil, copal and amber and then adding Venetian turpentine and the Martin brothers perfected the process with inclusions in the varnish, sprinkling spangles of silver plated copper wire into the wet varnish ground. Highly praised by Voltaire, it was developed to imitate East Asian lacquerware which was being imported into France during the Louis XV period. Vernis Martin was made in several colours, green, black and a golden red being the most characteristic.

Our reference: A1612x

Date of Manufacture

Regent Antiques has dated this French Vernis Martin Armchair to the 19th Century.

Height
104cm (40.94")
Width
57cm (22.44")
Depth
55cm (21.65")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA932503
Dealers Internal Ref
A1612x
Regent Antiques
Regent Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2016

We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Regent Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

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SAVE
An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. SOLD15 JUN 26
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Archive I An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. SOLD15 JUN 26

Antique French Vernis Martin Salon Open Armchair Druce & Co 19th Century

Archive II An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View II
Archive III An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View III
Archive IV An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View IV
Archive V An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View V
Archive VI An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View VI
Archive VII An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View VII
Archive VIII An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View VIII
Archive IX An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View IX
Archive X An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View X
Archive XI An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View XI
Archive XII An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View XII
Archive XIII An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View XIII
Archive XIV An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View XIV
Archive XV An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Manor Warehouse
318 Green Lanes
London
N4 1BX
United Kingdom
Verified Since Sep 2016
Items For Sale 649
Items Sold 2,735
Regent Antiques
Regent Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2016
View Dealer Info
Location: Manor Warehouse, 318 Green Lanes, London, N4 1BX, United Kingdom
Verified
Sep 2016
For Sale
649
Sold
2,735
An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat.
Antique French Vernis Martin Salon Open Armchair Druce & Co 19th Century
Ref: SA932503
An antique dark wood open armchair featuring hand-painted floral motifs on the backrest and cabriole legs, paired with a leather upholstered seat.
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Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectArmchairs
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFrench Rococo
  • MaterialWood, Leather
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsHand-painted floral scrolls, Figurative lacquer panel, Cabriole legs, Brass stud trim
  • SizeH 104 cm (41 in) x W 57 cm (22 in) x D 55 cm (22 in)

Vernis Martin refers to a specialized type of resin-based lacquer developed in 18th-century France by the Martin brothers, designed to imitate expensive Asian lacquerwares.

These pieces typically feature solid hardwood frames finished with multiple layers of translucent varnish and hand-painted pastoral scenes or floral motifs.

Authentic items display fine craquelure in the lacquer, traditional joinery methods appropriate to the era, and hand-applied brushwork rather than modern printed transfers.

Pair the piece with neutral modern furnishings to allow the intricate hand-painted details to function as a focal point within the room.

Keep the piece away from direct sunlight and high humidity, dusting gently with a dry microfibre cloth and avoiding chemical polishes or abrasives.
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