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Armchair
Carved by: Luigi Frullini (Italian, 1839–1897)
Italian (Florence)
about 1873–6
Object Place: Europe, Florence, Italy
Medium/Technique
Walnut; polychrome and gilded leather upholstery
Dimensions
92.71 x 91.76 x 78.74 cm (36 1/2 x 36 1/8 x 31 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Alice Dean Scranton in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Cunningham and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gardner Dean and H. E. Bolles Fund
Accession Number1985.811
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsFurniture – Seating and beds
Frullini, a sculptor by training, turned to furniture making and produced monumental pieces in the Renaissance style. His international reputation grew to such an extent that he had a number of prominent clients in the United States. In 1876 he worked at Château-sur-Mer in Newport, Rhode Island. The ornament on this chair-particularly the sleeping putti and the bat motif-is characteristic of Frullini's work and demonstrates his virtuosity as a sculptor.
DescriptionElaborately carved walnut frame with gilded and polychrome leather upholstery. The downward sloping arms with a realistically carved dove, the faces and sides with floral and insect motifs, terminating in a sleeping putto and cushion. The top rail of neo-classical form, the seat rail with neo-classical motifs and carved with the signature and date "LUIGI FRULLINI FIRENZE". Marine and floral motifs on side friezes; the back elaborately carved with a shell motif and foliage. The legs composed of griffins at the front, terminating at the back in lion medallion and monopod. Below the seat rail the apron in the form of a bat.
Marks
the seat rail with neo-classical motifs and carved with the signature and date "LUIGI FRULLINI FIRENZE"
ProvenanceBy 1984, Alice Dean Scranton, West Bridgewater, MA [see note 1]; 1985, gift of Alice Dean Scranton. (Accession date: November 27, 1985)
NOTES:
[1] In a letter to the MFA from October 1, 1984, Alice Scranton suggests that the chair had been in the family for "many generations."
NOTES:
[1] In a letter to the MFA from October 1, 1984, Alice Scranton suggests that the chair had been in the family for "many generations."