The Louis XIV Chair

I decided to do my research on The famous Louis XIV Chair, which is not my favorite style of chair
or furniture, I’m more simplistic, but growing up my mom had a couple of these chairs at my
place and for some reason it always it called my attention, I also have to say they are very
confortable.

I have to begin mentioning french furniture from the 18th-century are, in many ways, the
Platonic ideal of an antique. Largely, they are exquisitely constructed, reflect a rich social and
political context and come with their own semi-foreign vocabulary.

By doing this research I found that french furniture pieces from the 18th-century can also be
dauntingly complex and overwhelming to a non-expert.
Louis XV is considered the greatest of all periods for French furniture style and design (often
used interchangeably with Rococo style). The movement took its cues from a more feminine
perspective, namely the influence of Madame de Pompadour, the king’s fashionable mistress,
and a patron of the arts in her own right.
The three decades from 1730 to 1760 reflected the new priorities of comfort, refinement,
versatility and well-being. It also became a time that celebrated the relentless pursuit of
originality in design.
In response to the excess and formality of earlier periods, furniture and decor became lighter –
physically and visually, and more human in scale. Rooms became smaller and more intimate, and
furniture easily moved for gatherings. It was the birth of the salon and the boudoir – both of
which prized comfort, elegance and privacy. And for the first time, the idea of furniture became
a status symbol.

Oval room, Hôtel de Soubise. Germain Boffrand, architect.

Rococo style took pleasure in asymmetry. Decorative elements were inspired by nature, such as
carved leaves, flowers, and shells. Artisans of the period used a more florid and graceful
approach. Their style was ornate and used light colors, curves, and of course gold. The Rococo
had playful and witty themes. The interior decoration of Rococo rooms was designed as a total
work of art with elegant and ornate furniture, small sculptures, ornamental mirrors, and
tapestries complementing architecture, reliefs, and wall paintings.
Comfortable and fashionable seating became an important part of the period. Louis XV
armchairs, bergères and settees with their loose, upholstered cushions, and sinuous shapes, are
considered by many to be the apex of French furniture design. Changes in seating design ranged
from the development of springs, for comfort, cushioned arms, a lengthening of the back, and
loose seat cushions. Furniture was also freestanding, instead of being anchored by the wall,
which facilitated an overall movement and freedom not experienced before. Chairs were often
painted or gilded, and only rarely left as a natural wood color.
Tables, desks, and small case pieces also became smaller, more personalized and highly
practical. Marquetry and lacquer tables were numerous, and are almost infinite in design and
functionality.
By the end of this thirty-year period of exotic refinement and exuberance, tastes would again
change, as Louis XVI took the throne with Marie Antoinette, which would harken a turn
toward Classicism with the discovery and excavation of the ruins of Pompeii.
Difference between the 3 kind of Louis Chairs

Louis XIV

Approximate Dates: 1660-1720

Context: The Sun King took the throne in 1661, and his reign ushered in a period of unparalleled
splendor in the French decorative arts. It was his belief that the furnishings and decor (not to
mention his home, Versailles) should reflect the glory, wealth and power of the monarchy itself.
Accordingly, many of the exuberant, flamboyant pieces from this period (or, pieces created in
the Louis XIV style) may be properly described as Baroque.
Details of the XIV chair: Seat backs are rigid, rectangular and upright, seat backs are also
frequently upholstered, the seat itself is rectangular, armrests extend to the edge of the seat,
chair legs are straight, and not connected at an angle, stretchers connect the legs beneath the
sea

Louis XV (The chair in study)

Approximate Dates: 1700-1750

Context: Louis XV style represents the French iteration of Rococo. In fact, the term “rococo” is
thought to be a portmanteau of the French words rocaille and coquilles—“rock” and “shells”—
organic motifs frequently used in architecture and design of the style. Gentle S-curves and
naturalistic floral motifs are characteristic of the period, and crop up frequently on carvings of
chairs. Some postulate that the increased social prominence of women influenced the more
delicate and asymmetrical designs of the Louis XV style.
Details of the Louis XV chair: Seat backs are framed with molded and/or curved wood, seat backs
are often cartouche-shaped (read: rounded ovals), an emphasis on comfort means that seat
backs are often gently angled, the crest rail — or top curve of the seat back frame — features
carvings, or even a central medallion, armrests are shorter (Trivia: they shrunk to accommodate
increasingly full skirts), chair legs are placed at an angle, cabriole, or S-curved, leg shapes are
popular

Louis XVI

Approximate Dates: 1750-1800

Context: Termed the goût grec when it emerged circa 1750, Louis XVI style reflects a reaction
against the florid stylings of the previous era — and, according to some historians, a nostalgic
impulse for the grandeur of the Louis XIV’s reign. During the second half of the 18th-century,
French furniture underwent a Neoclassical revision. Restrained, geometrical forms were
preferred to the twirled, freehand designs of Rococo, and stylized references to classical Greek
architecture abounded.
Details of the Louis XVI chair: Seat backs are oval or shield-shaped, Chair frames are geometric,
neat and angular, carvings are more restrained, and reflect regularized, classical motifs, like
the Vitruvian scroll, arm rests meet the front of the seat, often in scroll arm terminals, chair legs
are typically straight, chair legs also often reflect references to columns, like fluted or ribbon-
twist carvings

Reproductions of the Luis XV Chair

1. The Kartell Victoria Ghost Chair

The famous French born designer Philippe Starck created a contemporary version of the Chair
for Kartell called The Kartell Victoria Ghost Chair. Is a chair born of classic lines and modern
technologies. The rounded backrest recalls the shape of antique medallions, with a linear and
geometric seat completing the look. Made of polycarbonate formed out of a single mold. The
result is stable and comfortable, charming and personable in a variety of settings indoors or out.
Kartell was Founded in 1949 by Giulio and Anna Castelli, Kartell has become the world leader—
and innovator—in the realm of molded plastic furniture. Headquartered in Italy, Kartell works
with designers worldwide to create their distinctive line of modern furniture, lighting and
accessories. Dedication to discovering and employing new technologies and manufacturing
methods results in a growing line of durable, stylish and innovative products.
This chair could be found also at Design Within Reach for around $500
Details: Designed by Philippe Starck, Made of transparent or batch-dyed polycarbonate, Scratch
and weather resistant, Stackable up to 7 high, made in Italy.

2. Design Toscano Louis XV French Rattan Arm Chair

Features: -Rattan chair. -Hand carved. -Double caned seat. -Design Toscano exclusive. -Solid
mahogany construction. -Hand finished. Chair Design: -Arm Chair. Frame Finish: -Mahogany.

Details: Frame Material: -Wood. Arm Material: -Wood. Dimensions: Overall Height - Top to
Bottom: -31". Overall Width - Side to Side: -28". Overall Depth - Front to Back: -21.5". Overall
Product Weight: -14 lbs. Chairs Concept dCOR Designs Furniture Hokku Home Leather Living Loft
Recliner Recliners Room Wildon Accent Armchair Armchairs Upholstery Brown Cabinet Chair
Drawers Library Lounge holidays, christmas gift gifts for girls boys TXG1210
This version of the chair could be found at Walmart for around $400

3. Restoration hardware version of the Chair

The famous Curvaceous lines and sculpted details date our chair's inspiration to the mid-
1700s, a golden age of French art, architecture and design. The shapely scrolled arms
and carved front apron flanked by cabriole legs lend grace and grandeur to the form. But
a woven rush seat and softly weathered finish impart a rustic warmth that's decidedly
more chateau than palais. An 18th-century French bergère from the Louis XV period
lent its curvaceous camelback silhouette and exposed -wood framing to our lounge
chair.
Details: Traditional Rococo carvings and ornamentation have been stripped away to
showcase the chair's exquisite curved lines, Built by hand with mortise-and-tenon
joinery, Plushly padded for comfort, it has the classic bergère's low, deep seat and
tipped back, Includes 1 accent pillow, Solid oak legs
This version of the chair could be found at Restoration Hardware for around $1.200
The Original chair could be found at places like Christies for around $70.000, like this one
bellow:
Example of Armchair, ca. 1710 French Carved and gilded walnut, covered in l ate 17th-
century wool, velvet. Purchase, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, by exchange,
1983 (1983.526) (MET MUSEUM NEW YORK)

Louis XV armchairs "Fauteuils à la reine" made by Nicolas Heurtaut for Martial-Louis Beaupoil de
Saint-Aulaire, bishop of Poitiers, circa 1755, Le Louvre Museum, Paris, France