Armchair (Fauteuil à la reine)

Art Historical Context

This elegant armchair, known as a *fauteuil à la reine*, was crafted in Paris around 1785 by Georges Jacob, one of the foremost *menuisiers* (cabinetmakers) of late eighteenth-century France. Created during the reign of Louis XVI, the piece reflects the refined tastes of the French court and aristocracy just before the Revolution. Its graceful proportions and classical detailing embody the shift toward neoclassical design, favoring symmetry and antique-inspired motifs over the earlier rococo exuberance. Jacob’s masterful carving and gilding of the beech frame highlight the exceptional craftsm...