Gold Fauteuil Chairs
Gold fauteuil chairs bring gilded nineteenth-century French seating into a room, offering carved open arms and upholstered comfort.
Gold Fauteuil Chairs
Gold fauteuil chairs are open-armed upholstered seats originating from continental and English traditions, predominantly represented here by nineteenth-century French examples. These pieces combine decorative carved wooden frames with exposed gilding and upholstered seats and backs.
Buyers will encounter various period interpretations on this page, ranging from eighteenth-century originals to late nineteenth-century revivals in Louis XVI, Regence, and Empire styles. Alongside pairs and individual armchairs, the selection includes larger salon suites and related seating forms.
Materials and Construction
Makers shaped the structural frames of these chairs from hardwoods such as beech, walnut, and mahogany, carving details directly into the timber before applying finishes. Giltwood surfaces were created by laying thin gold leaf over a prepared gesso ground on the carved wood.
Upholstery completed the chairs, employing traditional textiles like silk fabric, velvet, tapestry, and wool to cover padded seats and backs. Brass tacks and decorative elements occasionally secured the edges of the fabric to the wooden framework.
Listings span multiple decades from the eighteenth to the twentieth century, with nineteenth-century French pieces forming the majority of available giltwood seating.
Distinctions in Quality
Quality rests in the crispness and depth of the hand-carved ornamentation on the wooden frame, where finer examples display sharp relief and fluid lines. The skill of the original gilding and the integrity of the underlying timber structure further separate standard production from superior work.
The choice and execution of the upholstery textiles also influence the standard of the piece, particularly where period-appropriate fabrics or needlework tapestries are retained. Provenance and documented attribution to established makers elevate certain chairs above anonymous examples.
Jacob-Desmalter·Thomas Chippendale·Blaise Maucuy·Holland & Sons
The Gold Fauteuil Chairs Glossary
- Fauteuil
- An open-armed upholstered armchair with exposed wooden sides originating in France. These chairs typically feature padded armrests and a distinct separation between the upholstered back and seat.
- Giltwood
- Timber that has been coated with gold leaf or powder over a prepared base. This finish provides the characteristic metallic sheen seen on period frames.
- Louis XVI Style
- A neoclassical aesthetic characterised by straight tapered legs, geometric framing, and classical ornamentation. Chairs in this style frequently display rectilinear or oval backs.
- Salon Suite
- A matched set of seating furniture designed for a formal reception room. These suites typically include multiple armchairs alongside larger sofas or side chairs.
Gold Fauteuil Chairs: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fauteuil chair?
A fauteuil is a traditional French upholstered armchair featuring open wooden arms. The design leaves the wooden sides of the frame uncovered, unlike fully upholstered armchairs.
These seats were designed for formal reception rooms and parlours, providing comfortable seating while displaying carved and gilded woodwork.
How do I identify Louis XVI style chairs?
Louis XVI style chairs are distinguished by straight tapered legs, often fluted like classical columns. Their backs are typically oval or rectilinear rather than curved.
Ornamentation on these pieces draws on classical motifs such as ribbons, beads, and acanthus leaves, reflecting an eighteenth-century revival of interest in antiquity.
Are these chairs comfortable for daily use?
Most of these chairs offer supportive upright seating intended for formal conversation rather than lounging. Their open arm design and padded backs provide a comfortable upright posture.
Modern comfort depends on the condition of the internal webbing and padding, which may have been renewed during historical or recent upholstery work.
Where should I place a giltwood armchair?
Giltwood armchairs work well as statement pieces in sitting rooms, studies, or bedrooms. Their reflective metallic finish catches natural light and anchors a room's decorative scheme.
Pairing two matching armchairs opposite a fireplace or sofa creates a balanced seating arrangement in a traditional or eclectic interior.