A pair of carved giltwood Beauvais tapestry upholstered fauteuils à la Reine, stamped C. Sené Louis XV, circa 1750

each with a cartouche-shaped padded back with a serpentine top-rail carved with a cartouche and stylised wings above padded arms on voluted supports, the serpentine fronted seat carved with foliate scrolls raised on cabriole legs terminating in cartouche carved cabochon feet, the backs carved en reparure with foliage; upholstered with the original Beauvais tapestry depicting scenes from the Fables de la Fontaine enclosed by floral garlands on a cream ground and red surround 

Mme. J. Patiño de Ortiz Linares, sold Sotheby's Monaco, 8th February 1981, lot 229
Barbara Piasecka Johnson Collection, Christie's New York, 21^st May 1996, lot 343

Bill. G. B. Pallot, The Art of the Chair in Eighteenth-century France, Paris, 1989, p.128-129, illustrated.

For a footnote on Beauvais tapestry see lot 14 on p.54.
En suite with lots 13 & 14.

Good colour match with catalogue illustration. Joints sound and sturdy. Gilding slightly dirty and would benefit from a clean according to taste. Underside painted yellow. Overall minor marks and chips commensurate with age. Some minor sections to carving chipped off which are not too noticeable. Old restoration to a break to the top of left arm of one (boar on the seat), which has not been well executed and would benefit from some filling and touching up. Very nice detail to carving. The incising on the back of one chair not as distinct as on the other armchair (decorated with a bull on the seat). In overall good conserved condition. Good large size and beautifully upholstered. Tapestry: Very good restored condition overall. Good and balanced colour and composition. Very finely woven. Some minor repairs and wrinkling in areas, for example to edges and to padded arm covers. Areas with silk highlights are stable, for example the light areas of the animals and birds. Sky area is also stable.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Claude Sené:
Claude, the son of Jean Sené, the founder of the dynasty of chair-makers, was received maître in 1743.  Two years later he married  Marie-Jeanne Saint-Georges, which promulgated a partnership with her brother the menuisier Jean-Etienne, based in the rue de Cléry.  From 1746 to 1780 they worked together while each keeping their individual stamp and production.  Until 1753 he probably entrusted Nicolas Heurtaut with the carving of his chairs.  He produced both rococo and Louis XVI styles with the same ease and finesse of carving, which attracted the likes of famous patrons including the duc de Montmorency.  Claude was followed by his two sons Jean-Baptiste-Claude the elder and Claude II the younger, who both became famous chair-makers in their own right.