Rare Empire Chair Owned by Ann Getty
AGG-003
Rare, French Regency Chair owned by Ann and Gordon Getty, an original antique prototype (dated 1810) that legendary craftsman and antique dealer Louis Rossi, reproduced exclusively for the “Ann Getty House Collection,” a furniture line of original and authentic reproductions, inspired by her curated collections and international travels. Her furniture collection was sold exclusively through trade showrooms, made-to-order in custom finishes and fabrics. The Ann Getty House Collection’s catalog spec sheet, features a photo of this exact chair, which she named “ch109 French Regency Side Chair,” (it’s still on her interior design website, although there’s no indication that the business still exists) The spec sheet description reads - “This Regency side chair is hand-carved in Fruitwood with turn, back scrolled, independent top rail above padded backrest and loose-cushioned seat, raised on ebonized monopodia front legs headed by carved paterae. The original chair, c.1810 is the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Getty, San Francisco. Available Finishes: Fruitwood, inquire for custom finishes.” The chair is upholstered in a French striped silk, in great condition. A treasured find for collectors and enthusiasts of unique and one-of-a-kind pieces with a story to tell!
Ann Getty was a paleoanthropologist, arts patron, interior designer, author, and one of America’s most legendary tastemakers. She married Gordon Getty, the 4th son of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, billionaire philanthropist and classical music composer. They were chic, intellectual, San Francisco socialites, who spent a lifetime supporting and advocating for the arts, music, science, and education. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Getty Center, and Getty Villa exhibit J. Paul Getty’s private art and antiquity collections, the J. Paul Getty Trust fund is the world’s wealthiest art institution.
Anne was raised on a farm in northern California, then graduated from UC Berkeley with dual degrees in biology and anthropology. She worked on and passionately supported archaeological digs in Ethiopia and Turkey, searching for human fossils and artifacts, studying genetics and DNA structures. She was unpretentious, hands on, physically and intellectually in sync with scholarly scientists, craftsmen, and artists. There’s a photo of her restoring an ancient buffalo’s fossilized horns at the National Museum of Ethiopia. These very same personality traits and mannerisms, her curiosity, keen eye, and great attention to detail are apparent in her approach to collecting furniture, art, textiles, pottery, etc.
She spent decades fully immersing herself, studying international art and antiques, first a student, then connoisseur. She knew the provenance and story behind every piece she bought. She taught herself by observing, experimenting, and absorbing everything. She employed artists that became her greatest teachers. Before launching her interior design firm, she hired legendary designers, Albert Hadley and Sister Parish, and John Stefanidis to design her San Francisco estate in Pacific Heights, an early 1900’s sprawling Italianate mansion with views of the golden gate bridge, designed by architect Willis Polk. The estate was nicknamed the “San Francisco Embassy” for its lavish political and cultural parties. Shortly after opening her interior firm, she launched The Ann Getty House Collection, offering original and authentic furniture reproductions from her own collections and inspiration, produced by Luis Rossi, of L. Rossi Antiques in San Francisco. It is this famous Pacific Heights mansion that the items we acquired came from, including an original prototype from Ann’s reproduction collection.
W: 23" x D: 27" x H: 34" (Seat Height: 20")
Price Upon Request
**Some items are also available to purchase via 1stDibs & Chairish**