Armchair (fauteuil) from Louis XVI's Salon des Jeux at Saint Cloud 1788

This gilded armchair, crafted by Georges Jacob for Louis XVI’s Salon des Jeux, showcases motifs of floral abundance. Wreaths of roses and other blossoms adorn the fabric, symbols of love, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life itself, echoing ancient Roman festivals where flowers signified renewal and divine favor. But look closer. Floral motifs have long served as potent symbols across cultures. Think of Botticelli’s Primavera, where flowers herald the arrival of Venus, or even further back to ancient Egypt, where lotus blossoms represented rebirth. This chair, situated in a room for games, reminds us of the ludic and frivolous side of royalty. Yet, the floral arrangement, so delicately rendered, suggests a deeper engagement with the natural world. The chair evokes a sense of lightness and elegance that belies the deeper currents of memory and emotion that these symbols carry. Such imagery connects us to a historical and collective subconscious. The floral motif persists through time, each era reinterpreting its significance, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols to evoke profound emotions and cultural memories.