A Magnificent Pair of Armchairs By Alexandre-Georges Fourdinois

Dimensions: H: 43 in / 109.5 cm W: 29.5 in / 75 cm D: 31 in / 79 cm Carved and gilded, of the very highest quality work befitting a medal winner at the Crystal Palace Great Exhibition of 1851, a gold medal winner at the Paris Exhibition of 1855, and the cabinet maker of choice to the Empress Eugenie; constructed in the taste of the furniture of the Louis XIV/XVth époques; rising from cabriole legs with swept toes, the front rails carved with foliate arabesques; the seats upholstered, and the padded arms decorated with further foliate carving, whilst the arm supports are entwined with carved dragons; the back frames conformingly carved, and the serpentine top rails having mascarons to their centres. Stamped to the seat rails by the maker. French, Circa 1850 Provenance: Alexandre-Georges Fourdinois (1797- 1871) a native Parisian, established his company in 1835, and quickly became the eminent maker-furnisher to the Second Empire. Exhibiting at, and a medal winner at the London 1851 & 1862 Great Exhibitions, and the Paris Exhibition of 1855 and 1867; Created an ‘Officer of the Legion d’Honneur’ in 1863, he ceded the running of the company to his son in 1867, who had joined his father 6 years earlier. Examples of their work may be seen at the Chateau of Compiegne, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.