Pair of armchairs c. 1787

These armchairs were made by Georges Jacob using carved, gilded wood and silk upholstery. Note the intricate carving of classical motifs on the wooden frame, enhanced by the application of gold leaf. Jacob was a master of the *menuiserie*—the art of chair-making—and supplied furniture to the French royal family. Chairs like these would have been made in a workshop setting, with different artisans responsible for carving, gilding, and upholstery. The choice of materials—fine wood, silk, and gold—reflects the wealth and status of the intended owners. Consider the amount of labour involved in producing such a piece; from felling the trees to weaving the silk, carving the wood and applying the gilding, each stage demanded highly skilled work. By attending to these processes, we see how these chairs are not just beautiful objects but are also embodiments of social relations and hierarchies. They challenge the traditional distinction between fine art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the skill and artistry involved in their making.