MOLDED AND CARVED MAHOGANY CHAIR, STAMPED BY
GEORGE JACOB

French, circa 1750-60
Height: 36 ¾ inches (93.5 cm.)
Width: 21 5/8 inches (55 cm.)
Depth: 22 inches (22 cm.)

Molded and carved mahogany chair with a curved and bended backrest whose upper and streamlined band is hemicycle shaped.  Around the front runs a small molding.  The trapezoidal-shaped seat belt is slightly projecting and rounded at the back.  The two bowed forelegs show animal paws with split hoof shoes, also evoking the musculature.  The two saber-shaped rear legs each have a slightly hollow side with a pastille near the corner.

This chair evokes seats, which are represented in various paintings by David, such as “Brutus”, which was shown at the 1789 Salon and whose studies go back to 1785.

It can also be compared with projects by ornemanistes--- designers such a Belanger, J.B.D. Dugourc or Le Queu. Some of them were realized for members of the royal family, others for Russian princes and lords, as well as for the English royal family or nobility members.