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Set of four Empire-period chairs in walnut stained to resemble mahogany, from the area between Lucca and Genoa, dating to the early decades of the 19th century.
The backrest, in the distinctive en hémicycle (or “half-moon”) shape, is adorned at the center with an elegant gilded, carved, and pierced ornament evoking a stylized laurel wreath.
The legs are gently curved in a saber profile. The wide, comfortable seat is upholstered in red fabric with gilt motifs typical of the Empire style, finished with decorative braid.
This Neoclassical language spread in Italy also thanks to the influence of Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, sister of Napoleon and ruler of Lucca and Tuscany, who promoted in local residences an elegant yet solid taste, inspired by French models but adapted to the region’s artisan traditions.
Well preserved and carefully restored, these chairs are compact, sturdy, and ready for everyday use, offering a level of comfort and solidity uncommon in antique seating. Ideal around a dining or games table, they combine Neoclassical restraint with functionality, retaining an elegance that time has not diminished.
- Material: Walnut wood and upholstery
- Condition: Restored
- Period: Early 19th
- Style: Empire
- State: Optimal conditions
