Armchair (part of a set of nine) 1730 - 1765

This ornate armchair, part of a set of nine, was crafted by the Aubusson manufactory. The armchair’s tapestry-covered surfaces speak volumes about the social and cultural context of its time. In the 18th century, France was the epicentre of luxury and decorative arts, and pieces like this were potent symbols of aristocratic wealth and taste. The chair’s design, with its lavish floral patterns and pastoral scenes, reflects the Rococo style, which favored elegance and playful themes. We can also consider the institutional history of Aubusson itself. Royal support elevated the manufactory, allowing it to produce such high-end goods. A piece like this would have been commissioned and displayed in a home designed to impress. To fully understand such a piece, a historian would delve into archival records, design books, and period literature. Art offers unique insights into the values and power structures of past societies.