Centuries of French Antique Chairs

If the French are known for one extraordiary piece of furniture, it is their variation on the chair. The come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Throughout different periods in French hisotry, the chairs varied in design and function. But, as with most French furniture, they all had a few things in common. While they may not have been extremely functional, these chairs were, and still are, sturdy and fantastically beautiful. It is seldom said that furniture is art, but some of these French antique pieces are considered just that.

Louis XV Period
Chairs of the Louis XV period are extremely stately and ornate. The usual combination of luxurious printed fabrics and gold paint and molding give each and every chair an appearance that it would be fit for a king. One of the most popular forms of chair was the Bergere model, which was a larger chair with a full back and filled armrests. These chairs were usually supported by fluted legs which, like the edges of the chair were usually painted gold. Rich fabrics of velvet and silk in luxurious colors generally upholstered the chairs. There were also the more numerous armchair. With a wide and long seat, these chairs easily accommodated the dress of the day. Again, legs, arms, and back rest were usually made with gold paint and finished with a printed fabric.

Louis XVI Pieces
Chairs of this period are very similar to the models of the Louis XV period, if a bit more spindly. You saw less Bergere and armchairs and more chairs that offered no armrests. Again, gold paint prevailed and patterned fabrics were en vogue. We do see an almost constant use of gold, scarlet, and blue in fabric color though. Sometimes white or cream fabrics were used, but it was mostly the previous rich colors that were used.

Louis Philippe Pieces
Many chairs from the Louis Philippe period in French antiques resemble the dining room chairs that we often see in modern times. The armchairs were very stiff and straight, usually made of wood with a fabric overlay on the seat and back rest. However, the fabrics used in this era were not the opulent silks and satins of previous eras, but more understated and softer colors. Again, this period saw the popular use of darker woods, namely mahogany. More opulent chairs, however, were still being made, mostly to be used in show rooms. They continued to be made with gilt gold enamel and luxurious fabrics.