Italy, circa 1850s, cherry wood with woven cane seats, the horizontal back splat of each retaining its original oval label naming Descalzo as the maker and Chiavari as the location of manufacture. The chairs' seemingly modern design incorporates a delicately turned front stretcher securing legs of similar style, the rear legs are swept and tapered away from the seat. For a similar chair see Christie's London Sale 5869, October 29, 1997, Lot 3. Chiavari chairs of the 19th century served as the prototype for Gio Ponti's lightweight "Superleggera" chairs of 1957 (see Lot 122).

33.5 x 16 x 16 in.

These chairs are generally sold individually or in pairs.

Points of wear from normal use; old repairs to age cracks on all chairs, especially to the crest (one crest with full break and repair); minimal fraying to the seat cane; rear leg of one chair broken and re-attached 6 in. from the foot.

$4,000 - 6,000