A PAIR OF LOUIS XV LIGHT BLUE PAINTED FAUTEUILS

Jean-Baptiste Tilliard (1686 - 1766), maître in 1717, menuisier du Garde-Meuble du Roi from 1728 and active until 1766, and Jacques-Jean-Baptiste Tilliard (1723 - 1798), maître in 1752, menuisier du Garde-Meuble du Roi from 1766.
Although the cartouche-shaped back and cabriole legs on this pair of fauteuils harks back to the rocaille of the 1750s, the use of Greek key arm terminals represents among the earliest stirrings of the neo-classical style. Tilliard - alongside Louis Delanois - was leading the way in neo-classical designs, including the use of oval backs, in the early 1760s. This is confirmed by the historically significant miniature chair by Tilliard, which was acquired by Lord Coventry from Simon-Phillippe Poirier between 1763 - 1768 (sold Christie's, New York, 26 October 2001, lot 88). Another example of related early neoclassicism in a Tilliard design for seat furniture is seen in a suite of polychrome-painted transitional seat furniture, stamped by Tilliard, sold from the Champalimaud collection, Christie's, London, 6 July 2005, lot 10.

THE TILLIARD DYNASTY
Jean-Baptiste Tilliard was one of the pre-eminent menuisiers of his day. He worked in conjunction with his brother Nicolas (until 1750) and from 1752 with his son Jean-Baptiste II, all three using the same stamp. He received regular Royal commissions as well as from a large number of distinguished clients. Jean-Baptiste II worked under his father's direction until 1766, probably dealing with boiseries and room decoration.