Régence Caned Armchair

Louis XV armchair designed by René Cresson (c. 1705-1749), maître in 1738.

• Beech frame with caned seat and seat back.
• Loose light blue and gray patterned cotton blend seat cushion.
• Carvings on skirt and seat back.
• Stamped Cresson l’Aîné.

René Cresson came from a long line of important Parisian menuisiers. He was the son of Jean Cresson, the elder brother of Louis and Michel Cresson, his sister married the maker Jean Nadal, and his son Nicolas Michel also became a menuisier. However, only a small number of pieces bearing his stamp, Cresson l’Aîné are known to exist. This is probably because the Corporation des Menuisiers, the Parisian furniture-making guild that strictly regulated all makers, did not begin requiring makers to stamp every piece of furniture they produced for sale until 1743, which was only a few years before René Cresson died.

Phillips, C. J. "A Quiet Symphony: Orchestrating Elegance in a Toronto Home." Architectural Digest, July 1985, p. 117