19th Century French Empire Armchair Fauteuils Chairs, Set of 2

This is an elegant antique pair of French Empire Revival upholstered back mahogany armchair fauteuils, circa 1880 in date. The mahogany is beautiful in colour with superb patina. The carved top-rails feature scrolling paterae and anthemion above rectangular padded backs and seats on lotus leaf carved legs with scroll feet. The item is not cites pursuant. Condition: In excellent condition. As antique items, the pieces show signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, the urns display beautifully. Dimensions in cm: height 98 x width 63 x depth 64 Dimensions in inches: height 3 foot, 3 inches x width 2 feet, 1 inch x depth 2 feet, 1 inch Empire style, is an early-19th-century design movement in architecture, furniture, other decorative arts, and the visual arts followed in Europe and America until around 1830. The style originated in and takes its name from the rule of Napoleon I in the First French Empire, where it was intended to idealize Napoleon’s leadership and the French state. The style corresponds to the Biedermeier style in the German-speaking lands, Federal style in the United States and to the Regency style in Britain. The previous style was called Louis XVI style, in France. The Empire style was based on aspects of the Roman Empire. It is the second phase of neoclassicism which is also called “Directoire”, after a goverment system. Furniture typically had symbols and ornaments borrowed from the glorious ancient Greek and Roman empires. The furniture was made from heavy woods such as mahogany and ebony, imported from the colonies, with dark finishes often with decorative bronze mounts. Marble tops were popular as were Egyptian motifs like sphinxes, griffins, urns and eagles and the Napoleonic symbols, the eagle, the bee, the initials “I” and a large “N.” Gilded bronze (ormolu) details displayed a high level of craftsmanship.