Louis Delanois (1731–1792) Louis XV Period Fire Screen in Carved Walnut

Louis Delanois (1731–1792) Louis XV Period Fire Screen in Carved Walnut, Circa 1740–1750

This elegant Louis XV fire screen is distinguished by its finely carved walnut frame. The decoration features a heart motif within a shell, surrounded by laurel branches, while the stiles are adorned with foliate clasps. The robustly molded feet curl gracefully, adding to its refined silhouette.

The frame is upholstered in a blue-hued damask silk, patterned with leafy branches—a creation by the renowned house of Lelièvre. This fine Parisian piece, attributed to Louis Delanois (1731–1792), exemplifies the exceptional craftsmanship of the early Louis XV period.

Dimensions:
Height: 38.2 in.
Length: 24.8 in.
Depth (base): 15 in.

Condition:
In good condition. The silk upholstery has been replaced.

Biography:
Louis Delanois (1731–1792) is regarded as one of the greatest chairmakers of 18th-century France. A Parisian by birth, he was celebrated for his precocious talent and keen innovative sense, leaving a lasting mark on the evolution of furniture styles during the transition from the late reign of Louis XV to the advent of Louis XVI.

Trained in the workshop of the widow J.-B. Tilliard, Delanois achieved master status in 1761 and quickly established himself as an outstanding artisan. His work is characterized by an exceptional ability to anticipate and shape the tastes of his time, bridging the Rococo style and the emerging Neoclassicism. Renowned for his elegant creations—combining strength and flexibility with undulating lines and renewed ornamentation—his designs foreshadowed the Louis XVI style even as Louis XV’s reign drew to a close.

Delanois catered to a prestigious clientele, including Madame du Barry, the Comte d’Artois, the Duc de Chartres, and the Prince de Condé. His meticulously kept ledger, preserved in the Archives de la Seine, attests to the diversity and quality of his output, as well as his influence on French furniture. His armchairs, bergères, and sofas, often stamped with his mark, are now found in major museums such as the Louvre and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

His legacy lies not only in the beauty and originality of his pieces but also in his role as a pioneer, anticipating the desires of an aristocracy seeking modernity and refinement. His work, both technical and artistic, continues to inspire art lovers and collectors worldwide.