Rare large set of two cast iron benches and two arm chairs after Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841) the Prussian neo-classical architect who designed this pattern for the Roman Baths in Potsdam Park in 1835. He was the architect to the King of Prussia. The design was influenced by the early Roman furniture discovered in Pompeii and Herculaneum in the 18th century. The motif of the back panel is a scrolled lyre flanked by classical winged figures. Note the ram's head arm terminals and cloven hoofed feet. Late 19th or early 20th century. Benches: 31 1/2"H. 44"W. 19"D. Chairs: 31 1/2"H. 25 1/2"W. These pieces have been professionally cleaned and repainted. The late fashion designer Gianni Versace had furniture in this design in his showroom. A cast iron chair in this design by Schinkel is in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and also illustrated and discussed in "Cast Iron From Central Europe" 1800-1850 from the Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts and the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna. '
Unless specificed otherwise, all dimensions are in inches and should be considered approximate.
