Armstoel bekleed met tapisserie met bloemboeketten c. 1750 - 1770

This tapestry-covered armchair, crafted by I. Gourdin, presents a vivid bouquet of flowers, symbols laden with historical and cultural significance. Flowers, across eras, have been emblems of life, death, and rebirth. In antiquity, floral offerings adorned tombs, signifying hope for renewal beyond earthly existence. Observe how the arrangement echoes similar motifs in Renaissance paintings, where the Virgin Mary is often surrounded by symbolic flowers, each bloom representing a virtue or aspect of her divine role. The tied ribbon, securing the bouquet, evolves from ancient Roman depictions of bound sheaves of wheat, representing prosperity and unity. Over time, this symbol transforms, appearing in medieval tapestries as a sign of covenant or betrothal, eventually becoming a common motif in bourgeois art, signifying domestic harmony. The collective memory embedded in these floral representations is not merely aesthetic; it is a profound psychological assertion of humanity’s enduring connection to nature's cycles and our innate desire for beauty, order, and continuity. This chair is not just furniture; it’s a tableau of deeply rooted cultural symbols.