Pair of French Artisanal Woven Rope Lounge Armchairs, c.1950

A wonderful pair of French hand-woven armchairs, dating to around 1950.

The proportions are particularly good: unusually wide and deep seats, low backs and long open arms give them a relaxed, almost modern silhouette. The simple handmade timber frames are finished with small turned finials and delicate spindle sides, while the seats and backs are woven in broad bands of rush to create a bold basket-weave pattern.

The colour and surface are superb. Years of use have worn the frames to a dry, smoky brown, exposing softer pale timber beneath, while the rush has mellowed naturally through straw, ochre and tobacco tones.

There is wonderful irregularity throughout — these are clearly handmade chairs, with old wear and repairs adding to rather than detracting from their appearance.

They would look equally at home in a contemporary interior, a pared-back country house or a relaxed Mediterranean setting. The generous scale makes them particularly good occasional chairs beside a low table, fireplace or at either end of a large room.

Sold as a Pair