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Lot Essay
Claude I Sené, maître in 1743.
The oeuvre of Claude I Sené is often only associated with Louis XV models of rococo outline, while his sons, Jean-Baptiste and Claude II (both maîtres in 1769) are generally linked to pure neo-classical designs. Several authors, such as P. Kjellberg, suggest that such an association was probably compounded by various misinterpretations of the respective stamps of Claude I (G. SENE with an inverted N) and Claude II (C. SENE) in various publications and early sale catalogues. The present pair demonstrates that Claude I produced seats in the late Louis XV and early Louis XVI style of the 1760s and 1770s, and that his oeuvre was more prolific than had thus far been assumed (P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe Siècle, Paris, 1989, p. 804-806). The graceful in-curving legs and the inventively-carved lower inner section of the back rest exhibit Sené's familiarity and full understanding of the goût grec style popular in France during the late 1760s and early 1770s. The relative scarcity of these Louis XVI bergères by Claude I Sené, with their superb carving and original design make it an important and rare suite of seat furniture.
The oeuvre of Claude I Sené is often only associated with Louis XV models of rococo outline, while his sons, Jean-Baptiste and Claude II (both maîtres in 1769) are generally linked to pure neo-classical designs. Several authors, such as P. Kjellberg, suggest that such an association was probably compounded by various misinterpretations of the respective stamps of Claude I (G. SENE with an inverted N) and Claude II (C. SENE) in various publications and early sale catalogues. The present pair demonstrates that Claude I produced seats in the late Louis XV and early Louis XVI style of the 1760s and 1770s, and that his oeuvre was more prolific than had thus far been assumed (P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe Siècle, Paris, 1989, p. 804-806). The graceful in-curving legs and the inventively-carved lower inner section of the back rest exhibit Sené's familiarity and full understanding of the goût grec style popular in France during the late 1760s and early 1770s. The relative scarcity of these Louis XVI bergères by Claude I Sené, with their superb carving and original design make it an important and rare suite of seat furniture.