Louis XV Chairs?

Description:
This is a pair of matching Victorian-style armchairs featuring carved wood frames and upholstered backs and seats. The chairs showcase a classic Rococo Revival or Louis XV/French Provincial influence, popular from the mid-to-late 1800s into the early 1900s. The design includes:

• Oval upholstered backs with floral needlepoint or tapestry-style fabric.
• Carved crests featuring fruit and floral motifs, typical of the Victorian and French Revival aesthetic.
• Cabriole legs and curved arms with padded armrests.
• Original wood appears to be walnut or oak, with a warm patina.

Estimated Date Period:
Circa 1880–1920, based on style, construction, and upholstery type. These were likely parlor or salon chairs, meant to display elegance and taste in upper-middle-class homes.

Condition:

• Good structural condition: Frames appear intact, and woodwork seems free of cracks or major repairs.
• Upholstery: The fabric shows visible wear and staining, and the padding may have aged. Armrests are particularly worn. While this diminishes value slightly, it adds authentic age-related character if being kept for display.

Provenance:
Found in a neighbor’s basement after foreclosure; no labels, stamps, or maker’s marks are visible from the image, which limits precise attribution to a specific manufacturer.

Current Market Value (Retail):
For a matched pair like this in "good but unrestored" condition:

• $300 to $600 USD (as-is) in antique or vintage furniture markets.
• If professionally reupholstered and gently restored, the pair could bring $800 to $1,200+, depending on the quality of fabric and regional demand.

Comparable Sales:

• Similar Rococo Revival or Victorian parlor chairs in pairs typically list from $450 to $1,200 on platforms like Chairish, 1stDibs, and high-end antique stores.
• Auction sales in the U.S. (e.g., Skinner or LiveAuctioneers) often hammer in the $300–$700 range depending on provenance and restoration.

Authentication & Recommendations:

• While no markings are visible, the craftsmanship is consistent with early 20th-century reproduction French or Victorian revival chairs made in the U.S. or Europe.
• If you wish to authenticate or restore:
  • Consult a local antique furniture appraiser for an in-person evaluation.
  • Look for maker's marks under the seat, on the inner frame, or along the underside of the cushion.
  • Avoid stripping or refinishing the wood until an expert confirms whether doing so would affect historical value.

Suggested Professional Appraisal:
✔ Recommended if you are considering selling or insuring the pair, particularly if they are professionally restored or part of a larger antique collection.