19th-century Venetian Silver Varnished “Grotto” Armchair

Item Description & Information

A mesmerizing 19th-century Venetian silver-varnished "Grotto" armchair, masterfully attributed to the legendary Pauly et Cie workshop, evokes the enchanting mystery of an underwater cavern brought to opulent life.

The dramatically open scallop-shell back and seat unfurl like a giant, radiant escalope freshly emerged from the lagoon, their surfaces alive with deeply carved, radiating flutes that shimmer and catch the light in undulating waves—mimicking the iridescent play of sunlight on water. Graceful scrolling dolphin arms curve sinuously outward, their sleek, scaled bodies twisting in elegant motion as if leaping through imaginary currents, adding a playful yet majestic maritime fantasy.

Below, the tapering legs transform into a naturalistic underwater tableau: rugged rock formations entwined with swaying water reeds and encrusted girded shells, each crowned by a single, lustrous mounted pearl that gleams like a hidden treasure. The entire frame, bathed in shimmering silver varnish with subtle gilt highlights, glows with an ethereal, almost otherworldly luminescence—capturing the extravagant whimsy of Venice's 19th-century grotto craze.

This extraordinary piece transports the sitter into a dreamlike realm of mythical seas and baroque splendor, a true collector's jewel of fantastical Venetian craftsmanship.

Measurements: 89 cm (H); 61 cm (W); 46 cm (D).

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