Very heavy wood chair with guilt all over, but chipped off at frame corners some. Square back with carving all the way around and floral motif carved at top of back. Fluted arm supports with acanthus at bottom and on end of arms. Fluted legs. May have had cane seat at one time. Joint fractures at arm to back on both sides and back of seat separated from frame.
Only know man’s mother had for as long as he can remember.
Thank you for submitting your item for appraisal. This Louis XVI style arm chair was made in the second half of the 19th century, most likely last quarter. The armrests are moved backwards to allow ladies with sack-back gowns or rather cul de paris dresses to sit comfortably. The metallic gold paint / gilding shows some wear. Similar armchairs were offered or sold at auction. The estimate is based on these auction results.
Thank you for the additional photos. Judging from these photos it is metallic gold colour paint, there are more damages to the surface now visible with the new photos uploaded, but the estimate does not need to altered.
I hope this information was helpful to you.
Can you tell me if this is considered a reproduction since it is not a period piece? Can you tell me if it was made in France, and what type of wood was used in this time period where it was made? Also are the fluted arm supports on open arm chairs a later addition to the Louis XVI style? I can't find them at all on open arm chairs that are period. Lastly is it worth restoring and would it change the value?
Well, it is not a period piece. It is a later reproduction but still old and already antique. The old pieces are often lower and those produced during the late 19th century. I would leave it as it is. A restoration by an expert restorer would be more expensive than the chair. The chair is old and should show it´s age. This is what antiques are all about.
Thank you for all your information. Mystery solved. I paid $5 for it, but had a feeling it was fairly old.
I WOULD LIKE TO UPLOAD SOME ADDITIONAL PHOTOS THAT ARE MORE DETAILED SO YOU CAN LOOK AT IT CLOSER. THE ARMS ARE NOT MOVED BACK WITH THE FLUTED SUPPORTS AS MUCH AS THE OTHER ARM SUPPORTS I'VE SEEN THAT ACTUALLY CURVE BACKWARDS. THE ANGLES AT THE FRONT SEAT GO FROM A STRAIGHT CORNER INTO A BOWED FRONT WHICH MAY NOT BE SEEN IN THE PHOTOS I INITIALLY SUBMITTED.