Louis XVI Early Classicist Klismos Chairs, Italy, Late 18th Century, Set of 2

An exceptional pair of early classicist chairs, made in Italy, ca. 1780: sitting on four delicate, outwardly swinging legs, a transverse oval frame with gilded rosette decoration on the leg attachments. Backrest consisting of two narrow struts, connected in the middle by an openwork ring frieze zone, narrow arched upper finish with fine classical vignette painting in the form of a laurel wreath held by two dragons. The wood of the chairs was overlaid with a reddish glaze resembling mahogany, which was obtained from the resin of the dragon’s blood tree and was therefore called “dragon’s blood” and was widely used by cabinetmakers and instrument makers in the 18th century. The shape of the chairs goes back to the form of the so-called Klismos chair of Greek antiquity, as handed down through Greek vases and reliefs. The vignette on the backrest with a laurel wreath held by two opposing dragons probably refers to Apollo’s victorious battle against the dragon Python, the guardian of the Delphi oracle. Through this victory Apollo became the lord of the oracle and thus a god of wisdom. Condition: good, frame consolidated, refreshment of the surface, minor knocks, minor abrasion, new upholstery with yellow RUBELLI moiré fabric.