Armchair, Italy (possibly Piedmont), ca. 1650; walnut and embossed leather Armchair of carved walnut, with seat and back of embossed leather. The design on the back consists of a coat of arms, with interlacing floral work on either side; the border consists of putti, masks, birds, flowers and fruit and has on the left a figure representing Geometry, whilst on the right is another figure representing Astrology. The whole pattern is enriched with gilding. The leather work is partly trimmed with an olive green silk fringe and is fixed to the framework of the chair by gilt-headed nails. The legs are united near the bottom by four plain bars, whilst above at both front and back, is an ornamental cross-bar, carved with an interlaced design in openwork.