A Gustavian sofa, around the year 1800.
Extendable sofa with a white-painted frame. Side panels and back with spindles, carved decoration of beading and fleurons. Padded, foldable seat with light textile upholstery. Overhanging legs with fluting. Length 159, depth 59, seat height 44, height 99 cm.
Restored. Later painting. Additions. Damages. Cracks due to dryness of the material. Repairs.
The Gustavian era fell between 1775 and 1810. The furniture then takes on, in contrast to Rococo, a more restrained contour. The legs become straighter and tapered, the colours become softer in mostly grey-green and grey-blue tones. Typical to the Gustavian time is intarsia, inlays with medallions and classical borders. The chairs backrests are often straight spindles or a curved bundle of spindles, with the finer chairs have a padded back with a rosebud decoration at the top. A significant detail is the flower, "fleuron", which is often found in corner ornaments, leaf scroll decoration, and festoons of leaves, flowers, or fruits. Between the years of 1785-1810 is commonly known as the late-gustavian era and is known for its rigid clacissism. Rich intarsia decoration was replaced by smooth, dark mahogany with elegant brass fittings and moldings.
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