Armchair (fauteuil) 1700 - 1750

This ornate armchair was made in France, probably in the mid-18th century, by the Beauvais manufactory. Such furniture speaks volumes about the social hierarchies and artistic patronage systems of the Ancien Régime. Consider the gilded wood frame and the tapestry upholstery depicting floral motifs. These materials and designs were not simply aesthetic choices; they were potent symbols of wealth, status, and refined taste. This was a period where the decorative arts flourished under royal support. Institutions like the Beauvais tapestry manufactory shaped artistic production. Aristocrats would fill their residences with such lavish pieces to display their prominence. Understanding an object like this requires delving into archival records, design treatises, and inventories of aristocratic collections. Through such research, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, power, and social identity in 18th-century France.