Pair of 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Moroccan Leathered Armchairs - Maison Lalande

A very fine pair of late 19th Century French Empire style mahogany library bergeres, gilt bronze mounted retaining the original Moroccan leather upholstery, attributed to Maison Lalande. The curved top-rails with patera-cast mounts and anthemion foliate strapwork crests above padded leather scoop backs with raised padded arm rests finishing with circular gilt bronze pateras over sphinx head terminals, enclosing a bow fronted loose feather cushion seat, raised on square tapering legs to the front terminating on gilt bronze paw feet. These very stylish armchairs, much inspired by Jacob-Desmalter’s work of the early 19th century, remarkably retain their original Moroccan leather upholstery which is in extremely good condition having been fully nourished and waxed. The bronze work is of the finest quality retaining most of its original gilt. To the underside they are numerically stamped and given the quality and design of the armchairs we feel they are from the workshop of Maison Lalande, Devouge et Colosiez. A very similar pair in a suite which is marked can be found on 1stdibs. Maison Lalande was founded in 1852 and based 57, rue de Charenton. It was later taken over by the son around 1860, Lalande Fils kept the same address. He was awarded a bronze medal at the 1878 Exposition Universelle in Paris. In 1894 the name changed to Maison Lalande Devouge & Colosiez and moved down the road to 34, rue de Charenton, Paris.