Armchair (part of a set) 1775 - 1795

This armchair was made by Georges Jacob, a leading Parisian furniture maker, using carved wood and velvet upholstery. The wood would likely have been locally sourced, but the velvet points to global trade networks of the 18th century. Consider the labor involved in its creation. Highly skilled woodworkers painstakingly shaped the frame, while others wove the plush velvet and upholstered the seat and back. These processes involved specialized knowledge passed down through generations, and the final product speaks to the social status of its intended owner. The chair's design, with its elegant curves and refined details, reflects the prevailing taste for luxury and comfort amongst the French elite. But it also represents a complex web of production, consumption, and social hierarchy. It's a reminder that even seemingly simple objects can hold rich stories about the world in which they were made.