Professorial chair

Inventory no.
196618
Chronology
c. 1940
Technique
joinery, upholstery, carving, turning, incised line carving
Support
wood, velvet
Measurements
124x60x52 cm

Straight, high-backed professorial chair with a slightly curved outline at the bottom. The backrest, seat and arm pads are upholstered in maroon velvet with passemanterie. It has a small moulding around its entire perimeter and is topped with a cresting whose central motif is the coat of arms of the University of Oviedo flanked by leaves which curve to adapt to the outline of the backrest. The armrests adopt a simple, undulating shape and extend out as far as the front legs, which have a very simple baluster design with very little ornamentation, while the back legs are sabre style.

This piece forms a set with the rest of the classic-style chairs and armchairs lacking a coat of arms which were made following the decoration scheme implemented during the reconstruction of the University of Oviedo's historic building after it was destroyed during the October Revolution of 1934. At its meeting of 4 November 1938, the Governing Board accorded having three velvet-upholstered chairs made for each lecture hall which were to follow the model that had been saved from the fire, with the presiding chairs to carry the carved coat of arms of the University, thus marking the hierarchy of the dignitaries. Most of the building's furnishings mentioned at this time were ordered from the Casa del Río furniture and decoration workshop. This workshop was established in Oviedo by the brothers José and Bernabé del Río in the late 19th century and was incorporated as a company in 1919. The business outfitted the most emblematic buildings in the region for over one hundred years, becoming one of the most renowned firms of decorators in the region.

Text and cataloguing: Leire Rodríguez Fernández, PhD

Documentary sources
  • Minutes of the Board of Governors of the University of Oviedo. Session: 4 November 1938
Location on the mapUbicación de la obra en las instalaciones de la Universidad

 

  • Universidad de Oviedo
  • Campus de Excelencia Internacional