A set of four Louis XV painted and newly upholstered side chairs painted in a white/ cream colour and covered in silver/ grey linen fabric. With a cartouche-shaped padded back, serpentine padded seat, on cabriole legs, the top-rail, seat-rail and knees carved with flowers. The chairs can be confidently attributed to Jean Babtiste Mouette (born 1697, maitre 1740) as they have been acquired together with stamped Mouette armchairs, that displayed the same size, same carvings and same surface treatment.
Mouette married into the family of well-known Paris chair makers or ‘menuisiers’ by wedding the daughter of Etienne Saint-Georges (died 1736) and becoming the brother in law of Claude I Sené (1724-1792), who made chairs and armchairs for Louis XV. Those relationship to Saint-Georges is visible in design and style: an almost identical pair stamped Etienne Saint-Georges have recently been auctioned at Tajan in Paris. Mouette’s work was of finest quality as evident in our set, the added JME in the stamp stands for ‘jurande des menuisiers-ébénistes’ and would be added once a committee, made up of elected guild members who inspected the workshops four times a year, had approved the quality.
Newly upholstered in the French tradition with new springs and webbing and tread strong string through the webbing. Covered with high quality Marc Alexander linen (M200/22, Vintage Silverbirch) with added double welt cord.
Condition: very good, beautiful patina, min. wear consistent with age and use – detailed condition report on request