Exceptional French Mahogany Armchairs by Jeanselme (Period Antiques Education / Decorative Arts)

Benchmark examples of French Armchairs from an unusual period circa 1830; a series of four by the outstanding Jeanselme family of master furniture makers. These pieces surpass most others of their class and exemplify the best domestic work of the day. Stylistically, they reveal how classically inspired furniture evolved after Napoleon. The roman-inspired, heavy mahogany idea remained, but it became more organic and tropical in expression. I hope that examining the quality of these armchairs will add to the discussion of the difference between art quality antiques and "antiques" in general.
Finally, these date to the understudied end of the traditional timeline of period furniture, or the decorative arts, which spans from the renaissance to about the year 1840. It was during this time, generally speaking, that for various socio-technological reasons, furniture was most artistically made. I hope that these videos will provide access to a basic orientation in furniture history that will inform the viewer’s collecting, or improve the quality of the few pieces from the past they might casually acquire during their lifetime.

[@chateaudelamotte9527]

You are really like this period, still very good furnitures !

[@MyersMonroe]

Oui - surtout j’aime bien ce qui est assez inédit - cette période arrive à surprendre sans rentrer trop dans le choquant/moche … qui arrive bientôt avec la confusions des styles vers 1840!

[@jamesharris9474]

Another excellent presentation. The pieces are beautiful and your explanations are par excellence. Thank you.

[@MyersMonroe]

Thank you - I have many more to edit and film whenever time allows!

[@Victor-Tec]

Thanks for your speech and video!

[@MyersMonroe]

Thanks for watching, I’m glad you liked it 🙏👍

[@briansullivan7398]

Another very professional breakdown of beautiful masterwork with deep understanding of the subject, Thank you! Kindly, Brian

[@MyersMonroe]

Thank you so much - it’s very kind of you to write.

[@chateaudelamotte9527]

I have a set of seat furnitures here at the château stampted P F Jean and with a stamp of Duc de Ponthievre, original fabric, gilt nails, 6 armchairs and a canape for you.

[@MyersMonroe]

Wonderful provenance !! These pieces in the video must be a little out of your zone de confort !

[@chateaudelamotte9527]

@@MyersMonroe I do not completly understand what you were telling me (I'm Swedish)

[@MyersMonroe]

Omg sorry I figured you were French. The pieces in the video are out of the comfort zone of many traditional collectors.

[@chateaudelamotte9527]

Ok, but what I was asking was maybe you would like to buy some objects from me?

[@MyersMonroe]

Thèse are a Little out of my period, but sound wonderful. If you send an email to [e-mail] I’d be happy to take a look and possibly put you in touch with a buyer. Thanks for thinking of me!

[@AML-FRL]

Thanks for such an informative video. 👍👍👍

[@MyersMonroe]

A bit longer than intended but thanks for watching !!

[@gancarzpl]

When collecting antiques, discussing pricing of antiques is an important part of education. It would be fantastic if you could live links to places you get your fabrics from. Maybe you could make a separate episode with best sources for the different period fabrics, hardware etc.

[@MyersMonroe]

Yes! It unfortunate when people pay high prices for pieces which aren’t originals or even exceptional to the educated buyer. Are you a professional as well?

[@Wall4Him2]

I’m always excited to watch a new show from you. Could you speak more about wood worm?

[@MyersMonroe]

Thank you! I have a few more to edit and ten pieces to film back in the states. It’s encouraging to hear the videos are appreciated. I’ll comment a little more on the furniture beetles in a future video!

[@randyfloyd560]

Great set of chairs. Substantial but soft in a way. Tropical Empire is a perfect description. I think of the floral furniture of Marie Antoinettes at the Petit Trianon. Not that they resemble each other, but they certainly get away from the predictable style of the time. Wonder if these were commissioned by some elegant lady? Always interesting to hear you speak and share your knowledge. Continued success!

[@MyersMonroe]

Thank you so much! And yes while they are far from the predictable style of the time. Nevertheless, I think they manage to be quite emblematic of the best.

[@randyfloyd560]

I'd rock them if they were mine. ❤

[@WilliamSchwartz-ft8ti]

I acquired the piece on a trade for some upholstery, I’m an upholsterer by trade from a family that has been upholstering for just at 100 years. Like I said it is in frame form no webbing,no guts,not even a pattern and I didn’t have time to work on it and the dealer had other pieces to upholster. It has what looks like a chair back for an arm, the actual back is very low… so you have to sit full length on the piece. I’ve had it for 25 years and is still in frame form lol, one day I will finish it.

[@MyersMonroe]

25 years is but a moment in the life of a piece like that! At least you know how to finish it! It is in good hands.

[@WilliamSchwartz-ft8ti]

Not to brag…I have a chaise lounge, it is signed just the frame and can see the stamp signature.

[@MyersMonroe]

Excellent ! It’s funny what is signed at what isn’t - a chaise longue is such an interesting piece they apparently took the trouble to stamp it. I would have preferred to still have the signed side chairs of that different model for the video but oh well.

[@CarrollThompkins]

He is spit on when making the point of the lack of understanding amongst the general public of what an antique really is. There have been and will always be discerning buyers of true quality antiques. The rest will always be lasting their grandmother's "antiques" on Craigslist

[@rarelyobscure]

Mahogany they may be, the proportions are off on the peach colored 4 set. The arm curve is too small. The front leg too heavy. The blue chair is correct.

[@MyersMonroe]

No, these are harmonious and with standard proportions for benchmark chairs of this time. This is perhaps more evident in the high resolution shots on my website.

[@rarelyobscure]

We will agree to disagree. I just want to add, this is the first time I have ever disagreed with your choice of wood art. Handmade, hand carved, estate made, folk art, one of a kind furniture are precious and should be preserved. These chairs have a squat leg and chair curves are too small. There is nothing beautiful about them except that someone tried.