Armchair

Various artists/makers

Not on view

Louis XVI commissioned the tapestry-woven upholstery for two settees and twelve armchairs (four are displayed in the exhibition) from Beauvais with four related tapestries. The personifications of the continents are set in landscapes on the seat backs, and animals native to each populate the seat covers. This set vividly reflects the late eighteenth-century Gallic worldview. One settee shows America being introduced to Europe by France, who is receiving a crown from Victory. This scene is contrasted with those on the other settee, where Asia and Africa are shown surrounded by the material wealth their lands can offer Europe, including luxurious jewels and textiles from Asia and ivory and Africans (shown in chains) from Africa.

Armchair, Tapestry upholstery by Beauvais, Carved and gilded wood; wool, silk, French, Beauvais

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1978.404.13a–c

Armchair, Tapestry upholstery by Beauvais, Carved and gilded wood; wool, silk, French, Beauvais
Armchair, Tapestry upholstery by Beauvais, Carved and gilded wood; wool, silk, French, Beauvais
Armchair, Tapestry upholstery by Beauvais, Carved and gilded wood; wool, silk, French, Beauvais

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