Louis XV Walnut-Finish Fauteuil Armchair - Gilded Shell Crest & Cream Damask

Design & Inspiration

Place this fauteuil in a room and the room arranges itself around it. The open arms, the sinuous carved rails, the four cabriole legs ending in gilt scroll feet — every line is a decision made by an eighteenth-century designer who understood that a chair is not just a place to sit but a statement about the room it occupies. Inspired by the refined elegance of the Louis XV Rococo era (1730–1770), this handcrafted fauteuil faithfully reproduces the French salon chair at the height of its formal authority: generous in proportion, disciplined in ornament, and unmistakable in silhouette. The back rises to a shaped cartouche crest crowned by a gilded rocaille shell flanked by acanthus scrolls — the single detail that identifies a Louis XV chair across a room.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The frame is built from Romanian solid redwood seasoned to below 10% humidity, giving the carver a stable, close-grained foundation for the deep relief work visible at every junction. A walnut-tone hand-rubbed finish brings out the natural warmth of the wood, darkening in the recesses of the carved acanthus to create the contrast that makes gilded ornament read as intentional rather than decorative habit. The upholstered arm pads (manchettes) are a defining feature of the French fauteuil tradition — here padded in cream damask and trimmed with hand-braided gimp, the same ivory-and-champagne braid that edges the back panel and seat. The seat and back are filled with high-density foam to maintain period-correct depth while meeting the comfort expectations of daily use. Every edge of fabric meets a carved wood rail through a precisely fitted gimp — no raw seams, no exposed staples.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 73 cm / Depth: 60 cm / Height: 110 cm

• Frame: Romanian solid redwood, walnut-tone hand-rubbed finish
• Upholstery: Cream tone-on-tone damask, trimmed with hand-braided gimp
• Ornamentation: Gilded carved shell crest, acanthus at the front knees, shell at the apron centre, leaf sprays on the arm supports, gilt scroll feet
• Legs: 4 cabriole legs with gilt scroll feet
• Assembly: No assembly required
• Origin: Handcrafted in Egypt

Handcrafted in Egypt

At Brass & Wood, every piece begins with seasoned Romanian solid redwood and ends with a craftsman's signature — the kind of finish that only comes from hands that have shaped the same joints and carved the same motifs hundreds of times. The carved and gilded acanthus leaves at the knees, the braided gimp applied edge-by-edge, the hand-rubbed patina that deepens around the carved detail — none of this is possible at industrial scale. This fauteuil is made by Egyptian craftsmen who have spent careers in the tradition of European classical furniture reproduction, and it shows in every curve of every cabriole leg.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this chair made from?

The frame is Romanian solid redwood with a walnut-tone hand-rubbed finish. The upholstery is cream tone-on-tone damask trimmed with hand-braided ivory-and-champagne gimp cord. Gilded acanthus leaves are carved into the frame — no applied metal mounts are used.

Is assembly required?

No. The fauteuil arrives fully assembled and ready to place.

Can this chair be customized?

Yes. Fabric color, fabric type, and wood finish can be specified at order. Contact Brass & Wood to discuss your requirements before placing your order.