Her Majesty’s Furniture: An Italian Baroque Armchair, 1690

Armchair
Italian
Gilded softwood, silk velvet,
Silver Embroidery
1690
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II

In furnishing Windsor Castle, King George IV’s taste for continental designs became even more apparent. His selections included ornate French and Italian furnishings with elaborate scroll-work and heavy ornamentation.


This armchair in one of a set of ten purchased by King George IV for Windsor Castle. The epitome of Italian Baroque style, these chairs feature scroll legs adorned with up-turned faces. The rich crimson upholstery is masterfully embroidered with a pattern which mirrors the carved legs and finials. King George paid £18 each for these chairs. They are, certainly, worth much more than that today.