The Wild History of Louis XVI Chairs

The origin of the idea

A return to Greece and Rome

Louis XVI furniture is a Neoclassical design style, a deliberate return to Greek and Roman designs as a reaction against the Louis XV Rococo period. The chair legs were carved to mimic the flutes and tapered shapes of ancient columns.

An Ionic column beside the fluted, tapered leg of the Sigla S799A Louis XVI chair

These pieces were designed for Marie Antoinette to furnish the new apartments she created in the Palace of Versailles, Palace of Fontainebleau, the Tuileries Palace, and other royal residences. She brought on the greatest craftsmen of the time to make them, namely Jean-Henri Riesener, Georges Jacob, Martin Carlin, and Jean-François Leleu.

Marquetry mechanical table with gilt bronze mounts and fluted, tapered legs, by Jean-Henri Riesener — Mechanical table made by Jean-Henri Riesener
(Source: The Met)

Parquetry secrétaire with a marble top and gilt bronze trim, by Jean-François Leleu — Secrétaire made by Jean-François Leleu
(Source: The Getty)

Demilune desk with painted porcelain plaques and gilt mounts, by Martin Carlin — Desk made by Martin Carlin
(Source: The Met)

Gilded armchair with a square back and embroidered silk, attributed to Georges Jacob — Armchair attributed to Georges Jacob
(Source: The Met)

The Guilds

The making of a chair was divided into strict guilds, sort of like early unions. Menuisiers built the wooden frames, tapissiers handled the upholstery, and ébénistes handled the marquetry and the veneers.

Each piece had to be stamped. The maker's mark would be applied typically to the underside of the chair. That way the work could be officially recognized by the guild.

Walnut, cherry, or beech

Most Louis XVI chairs were carved from either walnut, cherry or beechwood, but beech was typically the favorite because of its clean grain, being very durable and easy to bend.

The medallion back

The overall shape of the chairs didn't actually change much from the Louis XV period, except for in the backs. You ended up getting all new types of shapes, including the most popular and iconic one, the medallion or the oval back.

From the workshop

To get that perfect oval

To get that perfect oval, we like to use steam bending. That's where you actually steam the beech wood, allow the fibers to soften, bend it around a mold, and then once it cools down, it'll keep that shape forever. It's a technique Italy perfected that we still use today.

Front view of a Sigla Louis XVI oval-back armchair in gold with red damask upholstery

SEE OUR LOUIS XVI CHAIRS

What to remember

To spot a Louis XVI chair, look at the legs. Straight, fluted and tapered like a column means Louis XVI. Curvy legs mean Louis XV.

If you wanna see how we build here in LA, come by our showroom at 711 East Rosecrans Avenue. I'd be happy to give you a tour of our Louis XVI chairs, our sofas and everything in between.