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I have always had a soft spot for a soft chair! And my favourite French chairs have such delicious names too! The pretty chair above, dressed in what looks like a beautiful printed linen, is called a ‘crapaud”, which literally means toad!
The crapaud is fairly low to the ground, with a gently reclining back and low arm rests. A similar design, but without the arm support is called a ‘chauffeuse’.
These chairs often have black wooden legs, usually pear wood, and typical of the Napoleon III period, late 19th century.
Chair design is a fairly accurate reflection of social customs. Today we have large deep armchairs and sofas, designed to give us space to sprawl. Our seating no longer encourages the user to sit in demure fashion, back straight, legs crossed at the ankles, it is acceptable to put comfort first.
In the 19th century, they liked their chairs to be purpose designed.
The chair below is a fumeuse, or smoking chair.
and this one is a gaming chair, designed for a man to sit on either in a traditional direction or astride with arms leaning on the padded back while facing the card table.
Of course the 18th century Louis XV period also produced some great classics, that are now reproduced worldwide.
This is a bergère cabriolet, a pretty combination of wooden frame and upholstered back and seat. The reverse of the back support is often upholstered in a contrasting fabric, to great effect.
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These old designs look just as good in a traditional brocade or silk as in a humble grain sack or even today in their underwear!![blank]
[blank]How about you? Do you like a chair to sprawl in, or to perch upon?![blank]
16 comments
Sharon, thanks so much for this fun "tour de chaise" – I admit to a bit of a chair obsession, especially pretty French perches. I'd love to pull up one of the beauties you've posted here. I've never really thought about how seating reflects the times, but it makes sense. As much as I love a cozy couch, nothing is prettier than a sweet little chair. XO
I really like the gaming chair and its ability to be used from either side. I've also learned some new vocabulary which is always helpful. Thanks
I love the fanciness…but when I crawl up in a chair…I want comfort! for a long time
Bonjour Sharon. Très intéressant indeed. You obviously know your chairs 🙂 Since I have never learned to sit properly (you know, like a lady should…) I would be very interested in that gaming chair as I can see real potential there for intimate conversation with a close friend… 🙂 Your "tour de chaise" was a real "tour de force." — Bravo! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
Well, I am the proud owner of a 'Crapaud' – lol! I hadn't known of it's formal name until now, but I bought it when I was on maternity leave with my first child, and had it covered in an Ian Mankin red check. It has followed me from our starter home in London which was a modest flat, via a Victorian and then an Edwardian London terrace to our present country house which is Georgian, and it has fitted in perfectly with every style and period. As it was the first piece of 'serious' furniture of my own that wasn't inherited or bought jointly with my husband, it holds a very special place in my heart.
A lovely post – thank you for the 'lesson'!
Paula xx
I am a chair person and I love them all. I especially love the "Crapaud" and the chair in the last image because of its high back. I am a person of comfort but also love the looks of chairs that aren't especially made to "crawl around" in too. HA
You have selected some beauties. I love the fabric in the first image…it's gorgeous! 🙂
I have a bergere cabriolet chair that has a linen slipcover on it and it is so comfortable to sit in.
You've got quite the eye for details Sharon…
I am so glad that I do not smoke because that smoking chair looks incredibly uncomfortable!
I name my chairs(have a passion for them)so happy to know their French names. At the present time I have bergère cabriolet perches . xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
I can't stand "sprawl" furniture. It has to be firm, the right depth for sitting, good back support and a good height. I do a lot of my (work) research sitting in a sofa, before I do my writing (at a desk) and soft, low, deep, "sprawl friendly" furniture kills my back, makes it hard to get up and sit down, and just basically kill me. I miss my neo-rococo sofa from before I moved to France, and when we move into our own house in August I am definitely going for something made for sitting.
I'll still pull up my feet in the sofa and lean on the arm rest when cosying up with a book and blanket, or sit with one leg folded under me in an arm chair, though. I don't sit there like a well-bred 18th century lady waiting for her tea all the time. 🙂
One of my grand-mere was very partial to french furnitures, and the bergere cabriolets are familiar. Although, hate to admit it here, my favorite sofa, which doesn't go with any of the decor in my house is a well worn Chesterfield style sofa covered in old leather.
How lovely is that last tufted chair. I wish I knew how to re do a chair with lovely fabric. I have done small benches and chair seats but never would I even know how to begin to redo the chair. Lovely post.
Very interesting, Sharon. I have a chauffeuse and never knew it. You are right: standard chairs nowadays are so big, and with such horribly wide arms, that it's good to see function and beauty uncompromised in your examples above.
i have one just likt it
So happy with it.. the part where you can site on are just springs 😉
Nice week!
very interesting post…now I know why I've been drawn to certain types of chairs…because they're French!!!!
Excellent information … great article. Has made me keen to learn more! Love drawers behind the red silk bergère cabriolet, and still love the 'undressed chairs' whether fauteuil crapaud or otherwise. Love the article, all the best, Jen. x
Love your blog! Love looking at all the bits and pieces in the loot shoots.