French Open Arm Chair
A french open arm chair brings structural grace and upholstered comfort to a room, offering a functional seat rooted in historical design.
How they were made
Frames are constructed from hardwoods such as walnut, mahogany, oak, and fruitwood, alongside softer timbers designated for painted or gilded finishes. Giltwood and gilt finishes rely on applied gold leaf or metallic paint over prepared gesso surfaces.
Joinery employs traditional techniques to secure curved rails and cabriole or tapered legs. Upholstery incorporates traditional stuffing and webbing techniques covered in silk, damask, tapestry, leather, or modern fabric.
What varies in quality
The distinction between ordinary and exceptional chairs lies in the crispness and depth of the wood carving. Hand-carved details on crest rails and arm terminals show fluid movement and precision, whereas lesser pieces display shallow or mechanical tooling.
Proportion and structural integrity also dictate standard, with superior examples maintaining balanced lines, robust framing timbers, and high-grade original or period-appropriate gilding and upholstery materials.
Several armchairs are recorded with needlework panels depicting pastoral scenes hand-stitched by past owners.
Thomas Chippendale·Holland and Sons·Colefax and Fowler·Druce and Co
The French Open Arm Chair Glossary
- Giltwood
- Timber coated with gold leaf applied over a prepared chalk and size ground. It defines formal decorative seating from various revival periods.
- Petit point
- A form of tent stitch embroidery executed on fine mesh canvas, frequently utilised for historical chair seat and back panels. It allows for intricate pictorial and floral detail.
- Cabriole leg
- A furniture leg that curves outward at the knee and tapers inward toward the ankle, ending in a pad or scroll foot. This shape is characteristic of Rococo and Louis XV design.
- Vernis Martin
- A type of simulated Japanese lacquer developed in eighteenth-century France by the Martin brothers. It appears on decorative furniture frames of later revival periods.
French Open Arm Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fauteuil?
A fauteuil is an open-framed upholstered armchair originating in France. It combines exposed woodwork with cushioned seating.
These chairs were designed for formal reception rooms and domestic comfort.
How do I identify periods?
Periods are identified through stylistic cues, wood types, and carving techniques. Eighteenth-century pieces display organic asymmetry, while nineteenth-century items often draw on earlier revivals.
Secondary woods and construction methods further clarify the manufacturing era.
Where were these placed?
These chairs served in salons, drawing rooms, and libraries as occasional or reading seating. Their open arms allowed space for voluminous historical dress.
Pairs were often arranged symmetrically around fireplaces or within conversation groupings.
How do I care for giltwood?
Giltwood frames require gentle dusting with a soft dry brush to protect the delicate metallic surface. Moisture and abrasive cleaners should be avoided.
Keeping chairs away from direct sunlight preserves the underlying gesso and gold leaf.