A suite of four carved giltwood fauteuils à la Reine, Louis XV, stamped L.DELANOIS

with carved and shaped backrests, the seat rail with carved roses and leaves, on cabriole legs, upholstered in gold silk

F. J. B. Watson, "The Paris collections of Madame B.", in The Connoisseur. An illustrated magazine for Collectors, London, vol. 155, January-April 1964, p. 2 (ill.).

The illustration of the catalogue is accurate. There are the inevitable dents, marks and scratches due to age and use. The gilding is rubbed and tarnished. There are some chips and rubbed areas to the gilding, revealing the white gesso, the red bowl and the wood underneath. Two seatrails have been reinforced with pieces of metal to the front feet. Impressive suite of armchairs. Beautiful design. One seatrail has been reinforced with two wooden blocks to the front feet. There are some restorations to the armchairs, especially to the upper part of the backrests. One seatrail has been restored with a new back piece of wood. There are some differences between the four armchairs. The silk is in good overall condition.
"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."

Louis Delanois, received Master in 1761.

Louis Delanois (1731-1792), one of the most renowned chair makers of the 18th century, received his maîtrise in 1761 when the nascent 'neo-grec' fashion was emerging.  His early work is in the fully developed Louis XV style, but he was quick to adopt the neoclassical forms and produced seat furniture in the Transitional style, and towards the end of his career he was working in the fully developed Louis XVI style.  He was one of the few leading Parisian menuisiers to successfully span these decades, and to successfully interpret the prevailing fashions.  Delanois had a distinguished clientèle which included the Comte d'Artois, the ducs de Bourbon, de Chartres, d'Enghien et de Praslin, the Prince de Beauvau and the Comtesse de Choiseul.  For a full discussion of the life of Louis Delanois, see, S. Eriksen, Louis Delanois Menuisier en Sièges, Paris, 1968.

The moulded voluted armrest supports on the present lot are repeatedly used by Delanois on his Louis XV seat furniture; the rather flat moulded borders around the seat seem to appear on his work circa 1765, as seen on an armchair formerly with Seligmann, Paris, illustrated, S. Eriksen, op. cit., pl. XIII, see also an armchair in the Niarchos Collection, illustrated, ibid., pl. XVI. The rose ornament at the center of the seat rail is the same as on a suite of six armchairs and one sofa which is kept at the Louvre (inv. OA 9411).