Description
A Set of Four Louis XVI Period Painted Fauteuils, Attributed to Louis-Michel Lefebvre (maître in 1774), Paris, circa 1775–1780.
A fine and elegant set of four carved and painted beechwood fauteuils à médaillon, each with oval padded backrest, serpentine arm supports and fluted legs. The frames are delicately carved with neoclassical motifs of rosettes, acanthus and ribbon ties, retaining traces of the original cream and paint. The chairs are upholstered in later light turquoise velvet, harmonising beautifully with the period polychromy. Each chair bears a label inscribed L.M. Lefebvre 1749–1781, referencing the celebrated Parisian menuisier Louis-Michel Lefebvre, active during the reign of Louis XVI and known for his refined neoclassical designs.
Provenance:
Acquired by Lily Venizelos, Athens, from Buvelot Camoin, Décoration et Antiquités, 9 Quai Voltaire, Paris, on 5 December 1963, as stated in the original signed invoice which accompanies the chairs.
Collection of Lily Venizelos, Athens, Greece
The invoice describes:
“Quatre fauteuils, bois sculpté peint, dossier médaillon, ornés de rosaces et de feuilles d’acanthe… Ces quatre sièges, du même modèle, sont datés de l’époque de la Transition Louis XV – Louis XVI.”
Dimensions (each): Height 82 cm × Width 60 cm × Depth 46 cm
Condition: Good condition overall; one chair shows minor wear to the velvet on the reverse side. Additional photos available upon request.