A suite of 26 Renaissance Revival oak and parcel-gilt dining chairs

c. 1900

A suite of 26 Renaissance Revival oak and parcel-gilt dining chairs (French, c. 1900) from the workshops of Jules Allard & Sons of Paris. The suite is composed of two armchairs (.1-.2) and twenty-four side chairs (.3-.26), each with an arched rectangular padded back above a square padded seat. Raised on curule supports connected by a single heavily turned stretcher and accented with gilded lion's masks and acanthus leaves, terminating in paw feet. The armchairs feature oak scroll form acanthus carved arms raised on S-scroll supports. The upholstered sections of the armchairs and fifteen side chairs are covered in a modern 2009 replica of the 1901 Prelle of Lyons green silk damask and trims. Nine of the side chairs retain their original green silk damask, the borders accented with gold taupe and elaborate gilt and case upholstery tacks in the form of cherubic masks (removed from reupholstered chairs). All of the chairs feature an ormolu backguard in the form of a shell with trailing leaves and a solid green gilded back panel insert.

French

oak

silk

cotton

linen

copper-plated springs

.1-.2 (armchairs) = 46.25" x 24.25" x 25"

.3-.26 (side chairs) = 41" x 19" x 14"

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Drexel III.

PSNC.2784.1-.26