Armchair (part of a set of nine) 1730 - 1765

This armchair was crafted by Aubusson, a master of tapestry, and forms part of a set of nine. The chair’s tapestry is adorned with potent symbols. We see floral motifs entwined around a regal lion, a beast of courage and nobility, standing amidst a lush, idealized landscape. But let us not confine our gaze to this singular expression. The lion, a recurrent motif throughout history, appears in the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, symbolizing power. Similarly, the floral patterns find echoes in ancient Roman frescoes, representing prosperity. How curious that these symbols, once etched in stone and painted on walls, now grace a humble armchair! The lion embodies an enduring human fascination with strength, resurfacing through the ages in heraldry, mythology, and art, each time imbued with the cultural nuances of its era. This enduring presence speaks to our collective subconscious. Just as the motifs transform, so too do our interpretations, guided by the currents of history and memory. It is through this cyclical dance of symbols, resurfacing in new guises, that culture perpetuates itself.