Description
PAIR OF LEATHER-upholstered armchairs Spain, second half of the 17th century Walnut; leather; bronze H. 138 cm, W. 65 cm, D. 53.5 cm The imposing dimensions of this pair of walnut armchairs give them a certain presence. They have a high backrest, topped with bronze finials, otherwise known as "turlupets" and a seat, upholstered in studded leather, with rich embossed decoration of birds and foliage. The belt decorated with a shell, rests on front feet "claw and ball", connected by a strut. Of Arab origin, the processes of leather treatment had developed in many centers of the Iberian Peninsula and our armchairs are direct witnesses of this craft very fashionable at the time. A similar armchair was in the collection of Baron de Vallière (Fig. 1). Let us also mention an old photo of Victor Hugo sitting in an armchair very similar to ours, at Hauteville House on the island of Guernsey (Fig. 2).
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PAIR OF LEATHER-upholstered armchairs Spain, second half of the 17th century Walnut; leather; bronze H. 138 cm, W. 65 cm, D. 53.5 cm The imposing dimensions of this pair of walnut armchairs give them a certain presence. They have a high backrest, topped with bronze finials, otherwise known as "turlupets" and a seat, upholstered in studded leather, with rich embossed decoration of birds and foliage. The belt decorated with a shell, rests on front feet "claw and ball", connected by a strut. Of Arab origin, the processes of leather treatment had developed in many centers of the Iberian Peninsula and our armchairs are direct witnesses of this craft very fashionable at the time. A similar armchair was in the collection of Baron de Vallière (Fig. 1). Let us also mention an old photo of Victor Hugo sitting in an armchair very similar to ours, at Hauteville House on the island of Guernsey (Fig. 2).
