A pair of Italian carved walnut and Aubusson tapestry upholstered armchairs, Genoese, circa 1760 and later

the later Aubusson verdure tapestry woven with foliage surrounding plain grounds with basket of flowers and basket of fruit on the seat backs and the reverse of each back with similar tapestry, centred with a single flowering stem

Athenaeum, Milano,1994, XII Edizione Antiquariato Internazionale

These beautifully carved armchairs are overall in good conserved condition. Chair A: Structurally sound and sturdy. Top rail and front left leg with repaired breaks. Re-blocked along the rear seat rail. Traces of old wood worm which no longer appear to be active. Drop in seats later. Chair B: Structurally sound and sturdy. Repaired breaks to lower repair of back support and to front right leg. Re-blocked along the rear seat rail. One clasp lacking to fix the drop in back support. Drop in seats later. The Aubusson tapestry of each in good condition and is late 19th century, possibly early 20th century.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These beautiful armchairs clearly retain much French rococo influence in their subtlety of line, delicacy of carved detail and harmonious proportions. Further, the à châssis Aubusson upholstered backs and drop-in seat construction also derive from Paris, where cabinet-makers would change upholstery to suit the seasons.

The decorative arts in Liguria were given a huge boost in 1751, when a group of Genoese aristocrats founded the Accademia Ligustica. The impact of the Accademia was great and in 1790 the astronomer Joseph Jerome Lefrançois de Lalande writes in his Voyage d’Italie,  ‘Of all the crafts in Genoa, the most successful is cabinet making; they make in this manner very delicate works, very sturdy and of superior taste’.

The present lot is a further testament to the quality of Genoese furniture from this period. Related examples can be found in A. Gonzáles-Palacios, Il patrimonio artistico del Quirinale: I Mobili Italiani, Milano, 1996, p. 280, pl. 100 and A. Gonzáles-Palacios, Il mobile in Liguria, Genova, 1996, p. 233, pl. 269.