Artmink

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

By: Unknown

Style: Iberian (Portuguese) Baroque Revival

Origin: Portugal

Materials: Walnut (with visible wormholes), rattan cane, pegged/tenoned joinery, turned stretchers

Age: circa 1880–1900

Condition: Good (age-consistent wear, cane fraying/replacements, old wormholes, stretcher wear; structurally serviceable)

Value: $400–800 (pair, auction)

Maker's Marks / Writing: No maker’s mark visible in the provided image.

Date: 2025-10-31 16:37:36.777636

Description:

A matched pair of tall, high-back side chairs with caned backs and caned seats, carved triple-arched and scrolled cresting, turned stiles, block-and-baluster front legs, and an H-stretcher with a pronounced bulbous front stretcher. Rich, oxidized patina with scattered wormholes consistent with walnut. Likely later re-caning to seats and backs.

Curator Questions

Curated by Jade

Assessment:

These are convincing Portuguese Baroque revival chairs modeled on late 17th–early 18th century ‘cadeiras’ with caned panels. The exaggerated scrolled crest, very tall narrow back, baluster turning, and bulbous front stretcher are Iberian traits. Surface oxidation, wear to feet, scattered worm holes (typical for walnut), and long service repairs suggest age, but the overall execution and proportions point to a late 19th-century revival rather than period originals. A word about fakes.. Iberian Baroque chairs are frequently reproduced; many 20th-century copies mimic worming and patina. Close inspection of the underside joinery, peg/screw types, and tool marks would be needed to argue for an earlier date.

Individual Images:

• none

Provenance:

Not provided.

Condition:

Good (age-consistent wear, cane fraying/replacements, old wormholes, stretcher wear; structurally serviceable)

Identification Score: 88%

Form, cresting, caning, and stretcher layout are strongly characteristic of Portuguese Baroque-type side chairs; confident on type though exact workshop unknown.

Authenticity Score: 40%

While the patina and wear look credible, the overall build and proportions favor a late 19th-century revival example rather than a late 17th/early 18th-century period pair. Until underside joinery and hardware are verified, I assume revival production.

Image Memory Note

None     None

Keywords

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

Report ID:  : mujdwb

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