Pair of antique French Renaissance revival barley twist arm…
click the photo to enlarge
Pair of antique French Renaissance revival barley twist arm chairs, each with full lion finials to the arms (2)

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Finial - An architectural decoration, found on the upper parts of of an object. On furniture they are usually found on pediments, canopies and shelf supports. On smaller ceramic or silver items, such as spoons, they may decorate the top of the item itself, or the lid or cover where they provide a useful handle for removal.

    Finials have a variety of shapes and forms. They may be urn-shaped, baluster shaped round or spiral, but usually taper into an upper point. Many real life shapes may also be used as finials, such as pineapples, berries, pinecones, buds, lotus and acorns. Sometimes animals such as a lion are depicted, or fish and dolphins.
  • Barley Twist - The leg, and frequently other uprights such as columns, chair frames, spindles and stretchers, are turned in fairly wide and deep spirals, usually slightly rounded. Also known as the 'Jacobean twist' and common on the dark stained Jacobean Revival furniture of the 1930s and 40s.

    As a rule, the twists on opposite uprights should move in a contrary direction. Thus, if the spiral on a right side is clockwise, that on the left side should move in a counter-clockwise direction.

    This is also true of rope-twist or cable-twist turning, a nautical term that came into fashion after Nelson's victories over the French fleet. The essential difference is that with rope twists, the spirals are more finely turned on the lathe and placed closer together, than they are with barley-sugar turnings.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

A set of six Louis XIV style tapestry upholstered dining chairs of small proportion

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A full suite of twelve French Provincial style dining chairs in beechwood with upholstered back and seats including two carver chairs

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Pair of antique French Louis XVI armchairs

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Pair of mahogany scroll arm side chairs

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.