Set of four Victorian chairs; England, late 19th century.
Carved mahogany wood.
Measurements: 93 x 46 x 47 cm.
Set of four English Victorian chairs, with a structure in mahogany wood of an intense dark reddish tone, decorated with carvings in several levels of relief. The seat is upholstered and padded, as is the central area of the backrest. The design has historicist roots, inspired by the creations of Thomas Chippendale (1718-1779), the leading English rococo cabinetmaker. Thus, we see a stylised structure that combines the undulating, sinuous profiles typical of rococo with nods to the Chinese furniture that so influenced part of Chippendale's own production. Thus, we see eminently straight lines at the waist, with hollow carved undulations that refer to the tracery of Chinese furniture, and legs with a clearly rectilinear profile, although they curve gently towards the foot (the front ones) or lean backwards like the neoclassical sabre leg (the rear ones). As is usual in English rococo production, the decoration is concentrated on a partially openwork back, with a highly original design. Instead of the more usual vertical openings, we see horizontal recesses, below and above the upholstered back, adorned with carved undulations and, finally, a carved, soft-appearing crest with carved turnings.