French Giltwood Armchair Pair
A French giltwood armchair pair brings gilt finish and carved timber into a salon, offering a matched seating arrangement rooted in nineteenth-century design.
French Giltwood Armchair Pair
A french giltwood armchair pair consists of two matching seats shaped by nineteenth-century tastes, drawing upon Louis XV Revival, Louis XVI Style, and Baroque Revival traditions. These pieces function as salon chairs, fauteuils, bergere chairs, or throne armchairs designed for formal rooms.
Most examples originate from the nineteenth century, including periods around 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920, often following French Chateau aesthetics. Buyers frequently encounter open armchairs, elbow chairs, and winged armchairs paired together for domestic reception spaces.
The selections span grand proportions with tapestry upholstery to smaller bedroom chairs upholstered in silk fabric or velvet. Each french giltwood armchair pair reflects historical revivals ranging from Régence style to Napoleon III design.
How they were made
Frames are constructed from timber, predominantly beech and other woods, shaped through detailed carvings executed by hand. Artisans applied a gilt finish, silver gilt, or parcel gilt treatment directly onto the wood surfaces.
Upholstery techniques involve textiles such as silk fabric, velvet, and tapestry, secured over brass and internal padding. Many seating options retain or have received newly upholstered coverings featuring patterned designs.
Some nineteenth-century salon chairs arrive sporting silk parrot designs, proving that historical birds enjoy gilt frames as much as anyone.
What varies in quality
The depth and crispness of the wood carvings separate standard production from superior examples, where floral motifs, scrolling acanthus, and structural frames show greater sculptural definition. The quality of the original gilding or gilt finish dictates how light reflects across the timber contours.
Upholstery choices influence the character of the seating, with hand-woven tapestry or heavy silk fabric sitting differently against the frame than later textile replacements. Proportions also vary from intimate salon chairs to massive throne armchairs.
Jacob-Desmalter·Holland & Sons
The French Giltwood Armchair Pair Glossary
- Giltwood
- Timber coated with gold leaf or a gilt finish. This surface treatment gives the frames their characteristic metallic sheen.
- Fauteuil
- An open-framed upholstered armchair with wooden arms. These chairs typically feature exposed carved woodwork around the back and seat.
- Bergere
- An enclosed upholstered armchair with solid upholstered sides. The design often incorporates a padded backrest distinct from open armchairs.
- Louis XVI Style
- A neoclassical design aesthetic characterised by straight tapered legs and classical motifs. Pieces in this style avoid the flowing curves of earlier rococo forms.
- Tapestry
- A heavy woven textile often used for historical upholstery. These covers frequently display figurative or botanical scenes.
French Giltwood Armchair Pair: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fauteuil?
A fauteuil is a traditional open-framed armchair featuring wooden arms and upholstered seating. These chairs were designed for formal French reception rooms.
The exposed carved wood frames distinguish them from fully upholstered modern seating. They provide a lighter visual presence in a salon or drawing room.
How do I identify Louis XVI style?
Louis XVI style pieces feature straight lines, symmetrical geometry, and neoclassical ornamentation. Designers favored straight fluted legs over curved cabriole supports.
Leaf motifs, ribbons, and urns frequently appear in the carved woodwork. This aesthetic reflects an eighteenth-century revival popular across nineteenth-century seating.
Where should I place these armchairs?
These armchairs suit formal sitting rooms, drawing rooms, or master bedrooms as a matched pair. Their decorative frames look best positioned away from walls where the carved details remain visible.
Pairing them with a small table or placing them beside a fireplace creates a balanced seating group. The gilt finish complements traditional architectural mouldings and neutral wall colours.