7: Russian Furniture of the Epoch of Historicism

Armchair in the Russian style with arms in the form of axes

Later 19th century

Russia

97x52x58 cm

Carved oak

This armchair in the "Russian style" went by the name "Arch, axe and gloves". The first was produced in the workshop of Vasily Shutov in the 1870s. Shutov, the owner of the workshop in St Petersburg, went on to become a lecturer at Baron Stieglitz's college. The design of the armchair, vividly conveying ideas of national identity, became popular for three whole decades. One version of the armchair was even acquired by Alexander III for his own collection.