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Lot Essay
Nicolas Heurtaut maître in 1753.
These fauteuils are grand examples of the 'symmetrical rococo' which is typical of Heurtaut's oeuvre as he significantly contributed to the evolution of rocaille design into the transitional period. The generous proportions, distinctive outline of the backs with their arched cresting and slightly waisted frame as well as the characteristic floral carvings on the cresting, rails and angles can be seen on related armchairs illustrated in P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIII Siècle, Paris, 1998, pp. 402 - 403 and B. Pallot, L'Art du Siège au XVIIIe Siècle en France, Paris, 1989, pp. 204 and 251.
Nicolas Heurtaut was remarkable for having achieved the level of master of two guilds; he was first appointed sculpteur en bois in 1742, elected maître menuisier in 1753. He worked as a master ornamental sculptor from 1742 to 1753 on the rue Neuve-de-Cléry, embellishing seat furniture executed by the likes of Claude Sené and the Tilliard brothers. A fauteuil à la reine stamped N. Heurtaut with comparable floral carving is illustrated B. Pallot, ibid, pp. 224 - 225.
These fauteuils are grand examples of the 'symmetrical rococo' which is typical of Heurtaut's oeuvre as he significantly contributed to the evolution of rocaille design into the transitional period. The generous proportions, distinctive outline of the backs with their arched cresting and slightly waisted frame as well as the characteristic floral carvings on the cresting, rails and angles can be seen on related armchairs illustrated in P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIII Siècle, Paris, 1998, pp. 402 - 403 and B. Pallot, L'Art du Siège au XVIIIe Siècle en France, Paris, 1989, pp. 204 and 251.
Nicolas Heurtaut was remarkable for having achieved the level of master of two guilds; he was first appointed sculpteur en bois in 1742, elected maître menuisier in 1753. He worked as a master ornamental sculptor from 1742 to 1753 on the rue Neuve-de-Cléry, embellishing seat furniture executed by the likes of Claude Sené and the Tilliard brothers. A fauteuil à la reine stamped N. Heurtaut with comparable floral carving is illustrated B. Pallot, ibid, pp. 224 - 225.