Lombard workshop, Armchair, carved and gilded walnut, mid-18th century (inv. n. Mobili 429)

The six armchairs, from the home of the illustrious Durini family, were donated to the collection in 1939. The seat and back of the chairs are upholstered with a tapestry fabric produced in Beauvais, which narrates in pictures the fables of La Fontaine. In the 17th century the famous French novelist wrote a series of short tales inspired by Aesop, in which animals symbolised the vices and virtues of man. With their rocaille carvings and broad forms the chairs, produced in a Lombard workshop, were well suited to the lavish and unwieldly dresses that were worn by fashionable women in the 18th century.