Armchair, 1770–72 or early 1780s, Georges Jacob, walnut, painted and varnished, and beech; silk, linen, hemp, and horsehair upholstery with swan- and goose-down feather stuffing; silk trim; iron tacks and gilt-brass nails. The J. Paul Getty Museum
Silk and Swan Feathers: A Luxurious 18th-Century Armchair
GETTY CENTER
South Pavilion, Plaza Level
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The product of several craftsmen including a joiner (woodworker) and an upholsterer, this extraordinary French armchair embodies the era’s refined sense of comfort and style. Made in Paris for an elite patron, its sumptuous appearance is striking, from its deep, brocaded-silk cushion stuffed with swan and goose feathers to the gold foil on its brass tacks. Despite its fragility, the chair has survived nearly unaltered over the centuries.