A Pair of Carlos Trece Armchairs
Late 19th Century
narra wood (Pterocarpus indicus) and cane
height: 53" (135 cm) width: 22 1/4" (57 cm) length: 18" (45 cm)


PROVENANCE: León Gallery, The Kingly Treasures Auction, Makati City, 7 December2013, Lot 160



High-backed chairs with caned seat and backrest are called of the Carlos Trece (Charles XIII) Style in the Philippines. How it came to be so-called is a mystery, as there was no Spanish king of that name. Carlos XIII of Spain was the one who introduced the neo-classic Louis XVI Style of France with its turned, tapering legs to the Spanish Court in the late 18th century. Considering that this kind of furniture became popular during the late 19th century, it must have been one of the romantic revival styles made popular during the Victorian era. Lack of information gave it a wrong name which continues to be used today. The style continued on until the mid 20th century and its more elaborate version is considered the epitome of wealth by the middle classes even today. These narra armchairs have inverted turned-baluster front legs. Its square back legs continue on to become spiralturned back supports flanking an elongated lozenge-shaped caned backrest with a pierced, crested back carved with foliate scrolls. Undulating arms ending in scrolls are supported by an upright scroll carved with acanthus leaves. The thickness of the arm scrolls and the bulky upright leaf scrolls supporting them show that it is of provincial manufacture, as do the carving of the crest which lacks the crispness and delicacy of high-end Manila work. The high elongated back, however, gives an air of dignity to the piece. - Martin I. Tinio, Jr