Armstoel c. 1830 - 1850

This armchair design by Firma Feuchère features elaborate ornamentation, characteristic of the French Empire style. Note the prominence of circular motifs, particularly the large, round backrest adorned with intricate floral patterns. This shape, echoing the halo in religious iconography, suggests a desire to elevate the sitter, imbuing them with an aura of importance. The inclusion of classical figures, like the small nude at the top, and the sphinx-like creatures adorning its base, hark back to ancient Greece and Egypt, cultures revered for their wisdom and power. We see echoes of this motif in Renaissance paintings and sculptures. Consider Botticelli’s Venus, emerging from her shell, or the Egyptian revival during Napoleon's campaigns. Here, they resurface, transformed into symbols of luxury and refined taste. These repeated symbols, drawn from different eras, speak to a collective cultural memory, a subconscious longing for past grandeur. The armchair is not merely a functional object but a vessel of historical and psychological resonance, inviting us to contemplate the cyclical nature of influence and the enduring power of images.