The 18th century armchairs are often endowed with a great virtuosity that gives them an unparalleled elegance and comfort. Emblem of a very charming century, in France, marked by its furniture creations, this 18th century seat was an armchair intended to adorn the rooms, living rooms and bedrooms of the very distinguished and for the most part very well-off of the society of that time.
Today, this chair or sofa has lost none of its notoriety, despite the restoration and renovation work, possible, undergone. This is the story of the evolution of 18th century armchairs, from Louis XIV to the redesigned armchairs today.
The Louis XIV chair
Seat of nobility, par excellence, the Louis XIV armchair had a very personalized shape, since the time of its creation. Remarkable for its almost square seat, flat back, and foot turned into "sheep's bone", this seat model is relatively high and similar to a gendarme hat.
Among other distinguishing features of this luxury piece of furniture is a brace profile, such as a moving console and its architecture made entirely of solid cherry wood. The new models of this chair have an armrest to improve seating and comfort.
There are even some with a folder that tilts per action on a housewarming and which are intended specifically for a particular category of people, especially the sick. Others such as the Louis XIV sofa are designed to accommodate several people at a time (two to four people).
This derivative of the Louis XIV armchair follows the evolution of the louis XIV style while retaining the majority of its characteristics. The Louis XIV sofa also exists in a three-seater model which is equipped with a straight back more evolved and flexible in its lines. Apart from these two great jewels of this generation of Louis XIV armchairs, there is the bench without a back, the rest bed and the chair.
The Louis XV chair
Lighter and with a removable shape, the Louis XV armchair retains the famous flat back of its predecessor. This flagship seat of the Louis XV era has been divided into several models, most of which have been redesigned to best meet today's stylistic requirements. Very furnishing and it comes in harmony with any wall, thanks to its flat back.
Louis XV's convertible armchair and lightweight armchair with its curved and fiddled back are among the most well-known models of this piece of furniture. Sculpted with solid wood cabinetry, the Louis XV-style armchair is often painted light in colour, sometimes in waxed walnut, woolly or gilded beech.
These most popular styles are: the shepherdess chair, enveloping by its cheeks and its cushion of thick feathers, the marquise chair, wide enough to accommodate two people and the office, cabinet or toilet chair.
Their popularity stems mainly from the trapezoidal shape of their seat with a semicircle plane with three feet arranged symmetrically compared to a fourth foot fixed in the middle of the front crossbar.
The Louis XVI chair
The era of King Louis XVI was marked by a particular style of convertible armchair. An absolute symbol of refinement, this chair is made from mahogany wood and painted in light, drowned, waxed, lace-up or gold beech, like the more recent models of its predecessor.
The top of his back is cut to accommodate: a hot air balloon headdress, a snowshoe, a wreath or a lyre. In this new model of the Louis XVI armchair, one can notice the appearance of the back of the hat in oval or bent medallion. This back is framed by two columns, each topped with pine cones giving it a panache that is irresistible.
Installed at the cuff, the armrest is highlighted for a more volute ending. It is arched and establishes a subtle bond, with the console and foot thanks to a slightly gondola support and a section connected to the seat support.
A winding of the plane by a cabinetry art forms in decoration at the belt. The front or rear feet are straight and curve back in a style unique to the shepherdess chair.
What are the main features of Louis XVI period armchairs?
- The seat backs are oval or shield-shaped.
- The frames are geometric, neat and angular.
- The sculptures are more sober and reflect regularized classical motifs, such as the Vitruvian scroll.
- The armrests meet the front of the seat, often ending with spiral arms.
- The chair feet are usually straight and fluted.
There are many characteristics to learn how to recognize an old Louis XVI armchair. You will be able to estimate its price.
The Louis Philippe chair
Offering a much stricter line, the Louis Philippe chair presents a style of seat, much more refined in its creation. Keeping the flat back of the model that preceded it, the Louis Philippe furniture is quite high and often rounded at the top.
His models include a few with a meridian socket that facilitates his movement and whose sculpture is inspired by that of a wardrobe. The armrests provide comfort worthy of the models found in the museum. The foot, in the form of an umbrella, draws a "J." Some of the best-known models include the Voltaire sofa and the toad chair.
The Voltaire sofa is very comfortable with a wide, deep seat that can be rounded, rectangular or oval. Imposing in height, its back is slightly tilted backwards and arched in its lower part.
The toad chair is fully lined at the top. Its back, as well as its armrest are in meridian gondola for a style more oriented towards the model of armchair cabinetry of that time. The creation of roulette following the restoration brought him more success.
Modern armchairs redesigned
The modern redesigned armchairs are seats of ancient civilization, restored. Most of these chairs have gone through several generations without losing any of their prestige. Others, on the other hand, have suffered the blow of time and require restoration work, with the preservation of the maximum possible of their original materials.
Thus, major transformations can be made with the intention of restoring them to all the prestige of before. On the other hand, these chairs, which have been able to withstand time and retain their entire structure, only need a clean-up, polishing or varnishing stroke to regain their luster.