Armchair (bergère en cabriolet) (one of a pair) 1755 - 1775

Editor: This "Armchair (bergère en cabriolet)," dating from 1755-1775, caught my eye here at the Met. The carved gilt wood just pops against the bright pink textile. There is a richness to this chair. What are your initial thoughts on it? Curator: Ah, yes, isn't it lovely? It feels like a whispered secret from a decadent age, a relic from powdered wigs and hushed drawing-room conversations. I’m transported! The Rococo loved the curve, and the way the frame sort of embraces the cushion, almost protectively, just tickles me pink! Tell me, does it bring any particular historical figures to mind for you? Editor: It feels very Marie Antoinette! Was that the intention with these extravagant designs? Curator: Precisely. Think Versailles, extravagance, the deliberate art of cultivated leisure. The gilt, the textile, the curves - it is about luxurious comfort but, more importantly, projecting power. Every detail, like the hand-carved ornamentation, emphasizes craftsmanship. Consider the hours to complete this one object! That labor declares status. Is this what you pick up? Editor: Definitely. So it's both practical and theatrical at the same time? Curator: Precisely! It’s designed to be sat in, theoretically, but ultimately performs an elevated purpose. This piece transports me, both literally and imaginatively. Now I'm thinking I need one in my sitting room... Editor: I love how you picked up on both comfort and power! I’ll definitely view furniture differently from now on. Curator: That is its allure: to reflect not just elegance but the echo of an era where artistry whispered in every curl and curve. I am now seeing more than just utility when it comes to furniture. Thanks!