Pair of 19th century baroque style walnut framed armchairs, the downswept arms with acanthus leaf tops and terminals on baluster turned supports and stretchers, upholstered in gros-point floral tapestry, each back panel decorated with a mythical griffin
- Griffin / Griffon / Gryphon - A griffin, also known as a griffon or gryphon, is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. It is typically depicted as a powerful and majestic beast, with the body and legs of a lion and the head, wings, and talons of an eagle. The griffin is widely recognized as a symbol of strength, courage, and guardianship, and has been used in a variety of cultures throughout history.
In ancient mythology, the griffin was often associated with the gods and was considered a symbol of divine power. In ancient Greece, for example, the griffin was associated with the sun god Helios, while in ancient Egypt, it was associated with the goddess Hathor. In medieval European heraldry, the griffin was used as a symbol of strength, valour, and protection, and was often featured on the coats of arms of noble families.
- Turning - Any part of a piece of furniture that has been turned and shaped with chisels on a lathe. Turned sections include legs, columns, feet, finials, pedestals, stretchers, spindles etc. There have been many varieties and fashions over the centuries: baluster, melon, barley-sugar, bobbin, cotton-reel, rope-twist, and so on. Split turning implies a turned section that has been cut in half lengthwise and applied to a cabinet front as a false decorative support.
- Baluster (furniture) - An architectural term for a column in a balustrade or staircase, often defined as a "vase shape". The shape is extensively used in furniture and decorative arts.
In furniture, it is used to describe a chair or table leg turned in that form, or more usually as an inverted baluster, with the bulbous section to the top. Less commonly used to describe a chair back that has the outline of a baluster. A baluster may also be split and applied to the front of a cupboard for ornamentation.
For ceramics and silver items it is often used to describe the shape of the whole item, rather than a part.
In Georgian glassware, the shape is commonly seen in the stem of glasses.
- Acanthus - A stylized leaf motif, one of the primary decorative elements of classical Greek and Roman architecture, derived from the genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Mediterranean area. It is a common element in classical Greek and Roman design, and is often seen in Corinthian and Composite order columns and used as a decorative element in English, European and Australian furniture, particularly on the curve of a leg, and as decoration for a corbel.
- Baroque Furniture - Baroque furniture is a style of furniture that was popular in Europe during the Baroque period, which spanned from the late 16th to the early 18th century. Baroque furniture is characterized by its ornate, decorative design, which often features elaborate carvings, gilding, and other embellishments.
Baroque furniture was popular in many European countries, including Italy, France, and Germany, and it was often used in the homes of the wealthy and in royal palaces. The Baroque style is also associated with the Church, and many churches and cathedrals from this period feature Baroque-style furniture and decorations.
The Baroque style of furniture is characterized by ornate and extravagant design elements that originated in Italy in the 17th century and spread to other parts of Europe, where it was particularly popular in the courts of royalty and the wealthy aristocracy. Baroque furniture is often made of rich materials such as gold, silver, and precious woods, and it is decorated with intricate carvings, inlaid designs, and gilded or painted finishes.
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