Fauteuil A La Reine Appraisal

Louis XV Style Tapestry Armchair (Fauteuil à la Reine)

This is a classic Louis XV style fauteuil, featuring a hand-carved fruitwood or walnut frame with a medium-tone finish. The chair is characterized by its curved cabriole legs and an ornate, balloon-shaped backrest topped with a shell-like crest. A significant feature is the machine-woven tapestry upholstery, which depicts a 'fête galante' scene on both the backrest and the seat. The central medallion portrays a courting couple in 18th-century attire, framed by elaborate rococo floral borders and scrollwork in muted pastel tones of green, rose, and cream. The armrests are padded with matching tapestry and secured with decorative brass upholstery tacks, a design element consistent across the seat base and backrest. In terms of condition, the piece shows moderate signs of age including surface wear on the wooden arm terminals and light fraying on the tapestry near the edges. The seat cushion appears slightly depressed, suggesting the original webbing or padding is softening. This piece likely dates from the mid-20th century (circa 1940-1960) and is a high-quality reproduction of the rococo style. Detailed craftsmanship is evident in the fluid joinery and consistent carving patterns along the apron and knees.