A PAIR OF LOUIS XV FAUTEUILS BY REUZE 

A pair of finely carved Louis XV giltwood fauteuils. Each has a curved back and is carved with a deep flute in the rails. The apex of the back, the centre of the front seat rail and the capitals of the front legs are carved with a scroll framing a shell-like cartouche with a cabochon at the centre. The arms are of serpentine outline with scroll terminals and further scrolls within the ornament of the support. The chairs stand on cabriole legs terminating in scroll toes.
Each chair has an inventory label on the inside back rail.
One chair stamped REUZE

Francois Reuze, (born 1716, died 1799) was the son of the menuisier Pierre Reuze. He worked in the Rue Clery for more than 50 years and was received as a maître in 1743. He supplied the King and Marie-Antoinette as well as the Swedish court. Despite the longevity of his career he seems to have shown little range in his style, remaining loyal to the rococo grammar throughout his life. His work always has exceptionally high quality carving, especially in the floral and shell work. Reuze chairs are typically generous in scale and voluptuous in outline, the epitome of the Louis XV style. His work can be seen extensively in the Musée Carnavalet, Paris.

CONDITION REPORT ON REQUEST.