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Armchair

Professional Photography
Armchair
Professional Photography
Professional Photography
Status
Not on view
Label Text

After the Revolution, many Americans cultivated a taste for the goods offered by their most important ally - France. As president, George Washington encouraged this trend by furnishing the executive residence with French furniture, ceramics, and glassware, many of which he purchased from the departing minister, the Comte de Moustier, in 1790. This type of armchair with open sides below the arms and a straight (as opposed to concave) back is known in France as a "fauteuil à la reine," literally meaning the Queen's style chair. Chairs of this form were typically painted, highly polished with gilt highlights, or entirely gilded.

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Datec. 1785-1790
Geography Probably made - France
Medium/TechniqueBeech (primary)
DimensionsOverall (H x W x D): 37 1/2 in. x 24 in. x 18 3/4 in. (95.25 cm x 60.96 cm x 47.63 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. David H. Stockwell, 1969
Object numberW-2545
DescriptionCarved and polished Louis XVI armchair or "fauteuil à la reine;" the upholstered "montgolfière" or balloon-shaped back on fluted back supports; the front of the seat back and bottom edge of the front and side seat rails are carved with a border of tulips or leaves; the straight arms have upholstered pads, are decorated with carved imbrications or overlapping scales along their length, and end in scrolled arm terminals on concave-curved supports carved with acanthus above stop-fluted blocks; the D-shaped, rounded-front seat is upholstered above the molded and carved seat rails, which are joined by four stile blocks, the two at front with inset carved rosettes and the two at back are faceted; four turned, tapered, fluted legs with spool-turned tops and brass caps screwed onto cylindrical feet; back of the crest rail, stay rail, and stiles left plain; the back joints where the crest rail meets the stiles are reinforced by metal plates screwed into the frame.

Upholstered with a brocaded peach and cream striped silk; a double row of piping in self-fabric outlines the edges of the back, seat, and armrests; sprung seat.

Published References

Mount Vernon's object research is ongoing and information about this object is subject to change. For information on image use and reproductions, click here.
Professional Photography
c.1790-1795
Armchair
Beech, paint
1775-1790
c. 1787-1790
Professional Photography
1770-1785
Armchair
Mahogany
Probable maker:  Robert Walker
1750-1760
1750-1760
Armchair
Mahogany, ash, white oak
1850-1900
1850-1900
Side chair
Mahogany, ash, maple
1800-1810
1800-1810
Side chair
Mahogany, cherry, white pine
1790-1800
1790-1800
Side chair
Mahogany
c. 1765
c. 1765
Side chair
Mahogany
c. 1765
c. 1765
Armchair
Mahogany
1770-1800
1770-1800
Side chair
Mahogany
1765-1785
1765-1785
Side chair
Mahogany, white cedar
1765-1785
1765-1785
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