Armchair (one of a set of four) 18th century

This armchair was crafted in Aubusson, France. It is one of a set of four, and it combines a carved wooden frame with exquisite tapestry. The tapestry, with its dense floral and animal motifs, dominates the chair's aesthetic. The weaving is incredibly detailed, a testament to the skill of the Aubusson workshops, renowned for their production of luxury textiles. The technique involves interlacing weft threads through a warp to create a dense, pictorial surface. This process isn't just about replicating an image; it's about translating it into a new material language. Consider the labor involved: the design, the dyeing of the wool, the slow, deliberate act of weaving. Objects like these speak volumes about the hierarchies of production and consumption in their time. The chair represents a world where skilled handcraft met elite demand, blurring the lines between art and industry. It invites us to look closely at the making, and to reflect on the social relations embedded within.