Large, flat-backed armchair in carved and gilded beech with - Lot 23

Large, flat-backed armchair in carved and gilded beech with rocaille motifs, the back underlined by a frieze of reverse leaves punctuated by umbilicals, acanthus-shaped armrests, sinuous brackets with tobacco leaf and clasp centered by a rose, the front crosspiece centered by a shell, it rests on cambered legs with clasped shoulders and bean falls ending in a scroll. Louis XV period (chips in the gilding; structure faded to yellow) Crimson velvet upholstery H. 107 cm - W. 70 cm - D. 82 cm Provenance : Palais Rohan, Strasbourg, 18th century Bibliography : Jean-Daniel Ludmann, Le Palais Rohan de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, 1979. Jean-Daniel Ludmann, "Le Palais Rohan retrouve son éclat d'antan", in Connaissance des Arts, n°251, January 1973, p.132-141. Bill G.B. Pallot, L'art du siège au XVIIIe siècle en France, Paris, 1987. The armchair we propose corresponds to the descriptions of the furniture ordered by Cardinal de Rohan for his new episcopal palace in Strasbourg, which was dispersed at the time of the revolutionary sales. Brilliantly studied by Jean-Daniel Ludmann, the "Rohan moblier" has been partly restored to its original purpose, thanks in particular to the donation by M. Riahi in 1988 (deposited by the Musée du Louvre) of three armchairs, one of which bears the Rohan mark under the belt, as well as the exact indication of its location as the "chambre du dais" (canopy room), enabling formal identification of the room it was originally destined for, also known as the "chambre du Roi" (King's room). Alongside this room, the main rooms in the Palace were fitted with seats from the same series, with a few variations in decor or proportions. For example, the King's bedroom featured "two carved and gilded wooden armchairs, upholstered in horsehair and covered in crimson damask edged with fine gold braid", as well as twelve or sixteen ployants, depending on the inventory; the library contained twelve armchairs with narrower frames and higher backs; the cardinal's bedroom had six; finally, the Salon d'assemblée was equipped with twelve ployants, a large sofa with confidents, four "bergère" armchairs and two armchairs. Ludmann has traced all these seats, including the armchair we are proposing, to a Berlin craftsman, Johan-August Nahl, who trained in Paris and Rome, and worked at the Palais Rohan from 1738 to 1741. In the absence of archives, however, this connection remains uncertain.