An extremely rare Louis XIII 'os de mouton' settee covered in 17th century parcel gilt leather.

An impossibly rare 'os de mouton' settee covered in parcel gilt French leather from the Rhone valley, presumably the Avignon region. The leather dates to the late 17th or early 18th century and survives in a remarkable state of preservation. A walnut and oak frame with scrolled legs and stretchers, triple arched back set with embossed and polychromed leather upholstery with brass tacking, and fabric back panel

An artform that dates to Antiquity, gilded or "elevated" leather was produced primarily in Spain and called "guadamcile," so called for the origin of the technique in the Libyan city of Ghadames. Until the 16th century this leather trade centered on Cordoba when a guild was established in France in 1594 for the production of 'cuir de Cordue.' Accelerated by the expulsion of the Moors in 1611 by Philip III, the manufacture of these golden leathers flourished in 17th century France, but few of these ancient embossed and leafed textiles survive.

Gratitude for the expertise of Jean-Pierre Fournet, author of the recently published 'Cuirs dorés Cuirs de Cordoue, un Art Européen.'

Dimensions: Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)Width: 70.5 in (179.07 cm)Depth: 32 in (81.28 cm)

Condition: Restored. One stretcher replaced, patch to one leg. Inactive insect evidence. Overall good and stable condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. The leather of the bench has been professionally conserved, lined, and reapplied to the frame. Scaling, abrasions throughout consistent with the age of the leather. The outer side panels are likely 19th century and of Dutch origin.