Armchair, ca. 1860, French, Gilded wood, upholstered in modern green tufted velvet (1998.382)
Armchair, ca. 1860, French, Gilded wood, -Green tufted velvet (1998.382) From The METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
While the illusion of twisted and knotted rope, which is associated with the work of the Parisian upholsterer A. M. E. Fournier, is indicative of the mid-nineteenth-century's flair for novelty, the chair's curvilinear outline is characteristic of the Rococo Revival. The voluminous tufted upholstery, which was complementary to the popular style.
Upholstery springs, first employed in the eighteenth century for carriages and gymnastic chairs, came into more general use in the 1820s, making seating furniture more comfortable. By the third quarter of the nineteenth century, the art of the upholsterer rivaled that of the cabinetmaker, as evidenced at the 1867 International Exhibition, where the majority of exhibitors of fine quality cabinet furniture, such as Jeanselme and Fourdinois, also described themselves as upholsterers. A set of stools of similar design designed by Fournier is at the Château de Compiègne and inspired the Baccarat glass factory to manufacture glass seats in this style.
Italian Carved and Gilt Wood Rope Stool
Twisted Rope Round Ottoman
Design Toscano sells a wonderful tufted upholstered roped ottoman that has a ton of potential for being a very high end piece in your home. While it may not be the typical french look, it can be re-upholstered if you don't like the look of leather. Consider a high end colored velvet with a gilt gold leafed frame . If you like the look Design Toscano sells this ottoman for $249
