Italian
Armchair or Dante Chair, 19th century
Walnut, 95 x 70.4 x 53 cm (37 3/8 x 27 11/16 x 20 7/8 in.)
This is a walnut armchair. The legs and sides of the chair form a loose, X-shape created by an upper and lower curved semi-circular arms and legs, notched in the center and meeting in a rounded joint on the front decorated with a carved circular flower. The front and back legs terminate with claw feet. Slightly curved arms connect the front and back sides of the chair, ending in front with a rounded hand rest, decorated on the exterior side with a multi-petaled flower, also seen on the exterior surface of the shoulder. Just below the arms, an “R” is carved in a circle. A red fabric is stretched and held in place with ornamental metal fasteners between the lower sides of the top of the X-shape and serves as the seat.The same red fabric with a row of closely-spaced, short tassels on the bottom, is stretched between the back of the arms and serves as the chair’s backrest.
Walnut, 95 x 70.4 x 53 cm (37 3/8 x 27 11/16 x 20 7/8 in.)