{"product_id":"set-of-four-french-carved-oak-rush-dining-chairs-in-the-manner-of-charles-dudouyt-c-1940","title":"Set of Four French Carved Oak \u0026 Rush Dining Chairs, in the Manner of Charles Dudouyt, c.1940","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eA very handsome set of four French dining chairs, made in solid oak and dating from around the 1940s.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere’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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe comparison with \u003cstrong\u003eCharles Dudouyt\u003c\/strong\u003e 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. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThese chairs sit very comfortably within that same school, though we make no direct attribution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe seats are especially pleasing. Each is a \u003cstrong\u003eremovable drop-in seat\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeen 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrench, circa 1940s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSold as a set of 4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Solid oak, woven rush\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuantity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Set of four\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight 95 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidth 44 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDepth 44 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeat height 47 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDelivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternational delivery can also be arranged – please enquire for a quote.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Disjecta Membra","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60535552180558,"sku":null,"price":695.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0791\/6201\/6078\/files\/IMG_0006_9a167fb8-7b19-4e44-b094-f3f9f6b89e4b.jpg?v=1787746149","url":"https:\/\/disjecta.co.uk\/products\/set-of-four-french-carved-oak-rush-dining-chairs-in-the-manner-of-charles-dudouyt-c-1940","provider":"Disjecta Membra","version":"1.0","type":"link"}