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

This armchair, part of a set of nine, was made by the Aubusson manufactory with a carved wooden frame and tapestry upholstery. The imagery woven into the fabric is pastoral, a cat and rooster adorn the back, while a fox lurks near a building on the seat. These tapestries weren't merely decorative; they were labor-intensive status symbols. To create this exquisite piece, skilled weavers at Aubusson would have translated painted designs into woven images, knot by knot. The frame itself would have been the work of talented woodworkers, carefully carving the intricate details. While the subject matter evokes a life of leisure, the chair is also an artifact of production. The tapestry and woodwork represent specialized skills, long hours, and a complex economic system that connected rural workshops to wealthy urban consumers. By appreciating both the artistry and the labor embedded in this chair, we can move beyond conventional distinctions between art and craft.