Fauteuil c. 1785

These gilded 'fauteuils' crafted by Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené, are more than mere chairs; they're embodiments of power and prestige, echoing the opulent tastes of late 18th-century France. The floral motifs woven into the silk upholstery speak to a fascination with nature, a longing for an idealized pastoral world amidst the rigid formality of court life. Observe how the cabriole legs, gently curving outward, are reminiscent of animalistic forms, reminiscent of ancient throne designs. This recalls a time when the ruler was closer to nature and its primal forces. Note the acanthus leaves, a symbol of immortality. The chair becomes a vessel carrying forward the visual language of emperors and gods through centuries. Such symbols are not static. They resurface and evolve, reflecting the changing tides of culture. What was once a marker of divine right transforms into a symbol of aristocratic refinement. This ‘fauteuil’ transcends its function, inviting us to consider the cyclical journey of symbols through time.