Early, heavily carved Flemish side chair

Jan & John Maggs

Antiques and Art

probably by Daniel Marot

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A flamboyant chair with so much detail it’s difficult to know where to begin. Let’s work from the floor up.

Each of the four legs has a dynamic pattern of turning and a bold, carved ring at its center. This carving is echoed in the bun feet. Between the feet and the legs is a delicately shaped H stretcher, which ties the base together. At its center is another iteration of the ring motif, capped with a small, turned finial.

The seat is supported by strapping attached to the four undecorated rails. The myriad nail holes on the underside of the rails show that this chair has been upholstered several times.

The rear legs continue upward to provide a framework for the focal point of the chair: its Mannerist shaped and carved back. The two posts are turned with an elaborate combination of rings, spools, blocks, and other forms, which alternate constantly. The blocks and the larger turned bits are carved with various floral motifs. Above the blocks that hold the crest is a spool, another carved ring, another spool, and a finial. These last elements are similar to those noted in the H stretcher beneath the seat.

Between the pairs of blocks in the rear posts are set two rails, each comprised of a beautifully carved double scroll. They differ only slightly in size and are approximate mirror images.

Between these two highly decorated rails are three lavishly carved splats. The outer two repeat the double scrolls of the crest, with flowers at their terminations. The central - and focal - splat is decorated in a vertically symmetrical pattern of multiple scrolls, botanic motifs, and ribbed shapes that extend from top to bottom. A virtuosic finale.

While the chair remains complete, the fineness of the work and its fragility have caused it to succumb to damage in one of the splats. The outer splat on the right side has broken in three places. The crack near its center has been repaired with an inlaid splint. Probably at the same time, the tenons holding the splat in place broke out. They have been repaired behind with applied blocks that solidify the splat and are invisible from the front. The seat is covered with the antique muslin it wore upon its arrival.

For more information on Daniel Marot, you might wish to read this Wikipedia entry.

Flanders, ca. 1675 - 80

Seat: 21” X 17”; Seat height: 18 ½”; Overall height: 52”

Price: $650

Questions? Click HERE.

Inventory #26117

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