Artmink

Portuguese Baroque Style Walnut Caned High-Back Side Chairs (Pair)

By: Unknown workshop

Style: Baroque Revival (Iberian/Portuguese) style, after late 17th–early 18th century models

Origin: Portugal (Iberian Peninsula)

Materials: Walnut (frames) with rattan cane seats and backs; later brass repair plate and iron/steel screws

Age: Circa 1880–1910

Condition: Fair (heavy wear and worming, breaks/losses to cane, cracked seat rails, later repair plates; structurally tired)

Value: $200–$400 (pair, auction basis, as-is condition)

Maker's Marks / Writing: No maker’s marks observed.

Date: 2025-10-18 00:58:13.958926

Description:

A matched pair of tall side chairs with arched cane backs and caned seats, carved crestings with scroll ears, turned back supports, baluster-turned legs and H-stretchers with a central bulbous element; standing on block-and-turned feet. Surfaces show deep, oxidized patina and scattered worming typical of old walnut.

Curator Questions

Curated by Jade

Assessment:

These are Iberian chairs made in homage to 17th–18th century Portuguese Baroque seating. The tall arched cane backs with scrolled ears, turned legs and central bobbin stretcher are hallmark features. Wear is significant: breaks and losses to cane, old repairs (including a brass plate with later screws), heavy surface wear and active/inactive worming in places. As such they read as late 19th/early 20th century Baroque-revival rather than period pieces. A word about fakes.. Iberian Baroque seating is frequently reproduced; be wary of fresh surfaces, uniform machine turnings and ‘too perfect’ condition. Here, the mixed-age repairs, later hardware and overall construction suggest an antique revival pair rather than 17th-century originals.

Individual Images:

• none

Provenance:

Not provided.

Condition:

Fair (heavy wear and worming, breaks/losses to cane, cracked seat rails, later repair plates; structurally tired)

Identification Score: 85%

Form, cresting with scroll ears, tall cane back, baluster legs and Iberian-type feet strongly indicate Portuguese/Iberian Baroque lineage; secondary details and construction support a revival dating.

Authenticity Score: 35%

Score reflects likelihood of being true late-17th/early-18th century period chairs. Later repair hardware, uniform cane weaving, and overall construction point to late 19th/early 20th century revival examples; genuine period origin is unlikely.

Image Memory Note

None     None

Keywords

Portuguese Baroque style, Iberian, walnut caned chair, high-back chair, revival furniture, 19th century, Portugal, pair

Report ID:  : mhzwmb

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