Fauteuil c. 1785

This *fauteuil*, or open-arm chair, was made by Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené, a Parisian *menuisier* - or furniture maker - at the end of the eighteenth century. It’s made primarily of carved and gilded wood, with silk upholstery. These chairs are prime examples of luxury goods from the pre-revolutionary period. The carving is precise and deep, and the gilding would have taken hours of labor to apply. The gilded surfaces reflect light and enhance the chair’s visual impact. The silk damask upholstery is equally opulent. The woven floral pattern adds texture and depth, as well as comfort. It’s easy to forget how much work went into textiles at this time; a piece like this represents months of labor. The *fauteuil* represents the height of French decorative arts. It also encapsulates the social and economic inequalities of the era. The chair's beauty and craftsmanship would have been enjoyed by a privileged few. It's a reminder that even the most beautiful objects can be products of complex social forces.