M. Markley Antiques
281.748.2266

Antique Chairs - Item 3312
Pair of Louis XIII Chairs

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Item 3312	Pair of Louis XIII Chairs
Dimensions	Width 20, Height 34, Depth 17 (in inches)
	Height from floor to top of seat is 17½
Wood	Walnut
Country	France
Date	Circa 1890
Price	$795
Description	This matching pair of Louis XIII chairs displays an exuberance of classic Louis XIII design elements.  Predominant are the intricate, hand-carved turnings for the "H" shaped stretcher as well as the horizontal piece connecting the front legs.  These same turnings or torsades characterize both the front and the back legs.  Unlike so many chairs of this period, these are not made of beech or other lesser woods but carved from old-growth walnut whose exquisite color is preserved.  While the turnings are wide and massive, their carving is intricate, some of the loveliest we have ever seen in the Louis XIII style. The chairs are covered in a dark brown faux leather upholstery but we would recommend that the buyer cover the chairs in material suiting their end use. Sturdy and awaiting at least another hundred years of enjoyment, these chairs are outstanding examples of the simplicity and elegance characterizing the Louis XIII style.
Reference	Gairaud, Yves, Le Guidargus du Meuble Régional (Les Editions de l'Amateur, Paris, 1990); Quette, Anne-Marie, Le Mobilier Français Louis XIII et Louis XIV (Editions Massin, Paris, 1996); Un Temps d'Exubérance, Les Arts Décoratifs sous Louis XIII et Anne d'Autriche, Paris, Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais (Réunion des Musées Nationaux, 2002)
Uses	These chairs are ideal as occasional chairs in a living room, library, den or foyer (with table 3093).  They would also work well in an office, for example, for guests to be seated opposite a desk (such as 9280) , but may be too low for some dining tables.