Empire style armchair set with bronze griffins, mahogany, very heavy (720)

The price is for the entire set (3 pieces – ensemble): round armchair + 2 side chairs.

Empire Style Armchair Set with Bronze Griffins — Mahogany, 19th/20th Century

This impressive three-piece seating set (empire chairs) is a work of Empire (Ampire) style in mahogany, adorned with gilded bronze fittings. The set comprises one round armchair (fauteuil de bureau) with a semi-circular, enveloping backrest, and two straight side chairs with high backrests. The striking accent is the gilded bronze winged lions (griffins) emerging from the front legs — a classic Empire motif, complemented by laurel branch fittings, rosettes, and lion paw feet. The red tapestry (pȩtit point) fabric with a yellow rosette pattern and nailhead trim enhances the set’s ceremonial, almost imperial character.

Dimensions: Round armchair — height 76.5 cm, width 61 cm, seat depth 48 cm.

Side chair — height 94.5 cm, width 55 cm, seat depth 38 cm.

Period of Creation, Art Style, Era

The set was crafted in the Empire (Ampire) style — a movement that emerged during the reign of Napoleon I in the early 19th century and experienced a revival during the waves of historicism at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The style is characterized by monumental, symmetrical forms, dark mahogany tones, and gilded bronze decorations featuring motifs from the Ancient world — winged lions, griffins, laurel wreaths, rosettes, and profile heads in medallions. Here, the austerity of the Empire style blends with the decorative opulence characteristic of later, representative salon furniture.

Empire (Ampire) Snapshot: Jacques-Louis David paused halfway across the workshop floor, turning towards the morning light filtering through the tall window. In the depths of the room, still in shadow, cold, golden contours slowly emerged—a wing, a paw, an animal’s head that seemed poised to spring from the darkness of the wood. His fingers traced the cool metal, feeling each feather and each curve of muscle beneath the gold. In that moment, as the grandeur of the ancient world became tangible once more, the artist felt the same quietude he sought in his historical compositions—the magnificence of the past residing in form.

Manufacturer

The set was crafted in a European workshop specializing in Empire reproductions with high-quality gilded bronze fittings. The quality and detail of the bronze winged lions attest to serious craftsmanship; the furniture is notably heavy, indicating solid mahogany construction and substantial bronze elements.

Rarity and Significance

Complete sets with full gilded bronze griffin embellishments are rarely found on the market — bronze elements are often lost or removed. A set with matching tapestry upholstery and a unified design is more valuable than individual pieces.

Application in Interiors, Design, and Photography

The set serves as a powerful accent in a representative study, library, or classic salon. The red tapestry, mahogany, and gilded bronze create a contrasting, photogenic ensemble, favored in interior and product photography.

Condition

The set is well-preserved for its age; the mahogany and bronze exhibit characteristic patina. The tapestry upholstery shows signs of age and wear in places (see photos). Minor signs of age are possible. The condition of the item is fully reflected in the photographs.