Hand-carved in Italy in the 1600’s, this pair of elegant walnut armchairs features a rich foliate and floral needlepoint upholstery. The chairbacks, seats and aprons of each chair has been covered by embroidery patterned with green, gold, and pink flowers and a subtle metallic silver border. The fabric is affixed to the wood frames by hundreds of iron nailheads.

A pair of finials in the shape of curled leaves with fruit top the backs of each chair. Beneath the base of the foliage are spiral flutings and half-arches, known as lunettes, which were commonly found on 17th century furniture. Where the armrests meet the chairback, there is a scrolled cartouche with an oval medallion in between two rows of gadrooning. Volute scrolls adorn the armrest terminals above the stumps, which mirror the elements seen on the finials.

Each chair sits on four block feet attached with fretted side connectors. The front connector has a large cartouche with three protruding oval medallions. Each of the medallions is surrounded by repeating scrolls and raised geometric panels. The base consists of a series of scrolls, adding elegance to the otherwise straight-lined chairs. They are particularly well carved when compared to Italian chairs of similar style, and the classic and colorful verdure upholstery is a perfect match.  Our pair of Italian walnut armchairs with needlepoint would make excellent side chairs for a living room or study.

CONDITION: Good antique condition with wear commensurate to age and use, including traces of old wood worm, resulting in losses to wood. Light rubs and fraying to the needlepoint upholstery. Most of the wood is from the 1600’s, but old repairs used more recent, yet antique, wood.