A very handsome set of four French dining chairs, made in solid oak and dating from around the 1940s.
There’s rather more going on here than the familiar formula of an old oak chair with a rush seat. Everything has been considered. The tall back uprights are channelled along their length; the front legs are turned into alternating collars, blocks and elongated balusters; even the corners of the seat frames are finished with little domed bosses. Then, rather magnificently, each back is interrupted by a great circular medallion, deeply carved in concentric rings.
It is this slightly excessive attention to geometry that makes them so good. Circles, squares, grooves and repeated lines appear everywhere, but the chairs never become fussy. Instead there is something almost architectural about them – four surprisingly disciplined bits of furniture dressed up in the language of rural France.
The comparison with Charles Dudouyt is difficult to avoid. His furniture of the 1930s and 40s frequently brought together substantial oak, pronounced turning, carved geometric ornament and rush seating, taking traditional French furniture and pushing it towards something considerably more modern and sculptural. Period examples attributed to Dudouyt use particularly similar circular backrests. These chairs sit very comfortably within that same school, though we make no direct attribution.
The seats are especially pleasing. Each is a removable drop-in seat, woven in rush in four opposing sections which meet in a strong cruciform pattern at the centre. Aside from being practical – they can be lifted individually from the frames – the pale, dry texture of the rush provides a very good counterpoint to the dark, richly patinated oak.
Seen together, the repetition becomes part of their appeal. Four circular backs hovering above four woven squares gives the set a graphic quality that feels unexpectedly contemporary. They have enough character to work with an old farmhouse table, but equally enough rigour to sit happily beside something much more modern.
French, circa 1940s.
Sold as a set of 4
Materials: Solid oak, woven rush
Quantity: Set of four
Condition
Very good vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. The oak has developed a rich, warm surface with variations in colour, rubbing and minor marks throughout. The carved and turned detail remains particularly crisp.
The woven rush seats show some age-related wear and variation but present extremely well and remain a particularly attractive feature of the set. The seats are removable/drop-in rather than permanently fixed to the frames. Please refer closely to the photographs, which form part of the condition description.
Dimensions
Height 95 cm
Width 44 cm
Depth 44 cm
Seat height 47 cm
Delivery
This set requires specialist courier delivery due to its size. Delivery is charged at cost and a tailored quote will be provided following purchase. Please get in touch beforehand if you would like an estimate for your postcode.
International delivery can also be arranged – please enquire for a quote.
