French Restauration Mahogany Single Bergere

A French Louis XVI style armchair from the 1800’s or earlier. This sturdy solid oak armchair is all hand carved with a urn at the top of the chair back with swags and a center floral...

A sophisticated set that includes a French 19th century oak bergere and ottoman. Fluted legs, indicative of the Louis XVI style, support each broad cushioned piece with slender elega...

A unique, French Louis XVI-Style bergère armchair from the 18th century, capturing the artistic sophistication of the period in clean, straight lines. The dark wood frame along the w...

A French 18th century (circa 1790) transitional style oak armchair reflecting design influences from Hepplewhite and Sheraton tastes with Directoire refinement. This sturdy, solid oa...

A Directoire Mahogany Bergère Attributed to Georges Jacob, its curved back and padded armrests with finely carved baluster-shaped supports raised on turned front legs and sabre back legs. With a spurious Jacob stamp to back rail. The term "Directoire" refers to a historical period following the French Revolution (1789) and preceding the First Empire when Napoleon reigned, but also to a style of furniture and decoration covering a longer period from 1789 to 1804. It is characterized by the production of furniture with simplified forms and ornaments, inspired by antique decorations. The profound social and political upheavals that marked this period had a direct impact on the production of Directoire furniture. The stripping down of furniture pieces, which had begun in the 1780s under the influence of Greek art, was accentuated during this period. The abolition of guilds by the revolutionaries also forced manufacturers in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine to simplify shapes and materials. Elegant and graceful, the furniture is generally small-scale. They retain the Louis XVI structure. The Directoire style adopts clean shapes, straight lines, simple curves, flat surfaces and right angles. Lines accentuate geometric shapes inspired by Antiquity. A typical trait is the pronounced rolled-over back, similar to a scroll illustrated in our bergere, evocative of the klismos chair. Only the more luxurious pieces of furniture use mahogany, an exotic and expensive wood. Despite his humble origins, Georges Jacob rose to become one of the most renowned menuisiers of his day. Unlike many artisans who joined their fathers or brothers in the middle-class family trade of furniture making, Jacob was from a peasant family and moved to Paris at sixteen to begin his career. He apprenticed in a joinery workshop and eventually became a master in 1765. He developed a reputation for producing inventive designs for chairs, beds, and screens carved with such motifs as twisted ribbons, guilloches, beading, and fluting. Jacob's reputation grew quickly, eventually spreading outside France; the future King George IV of England, Gustavus III of Sweden, and several German princes...

A lovely period French Directoire bergere, restored and upholstered in silk velvet. Lovely armchair with beautiful turned legs and columnar supports at the arms.

19th Century bergere armchair, the solid mahogany frame and inset bergere back and arms having removable leather cushions. All raised up on turned tapering front legs. Dimensions Hei...

A 20th Century Fruitwood and Upholstered Provincial Style Bergere Chair in excellent vintage condition. Recently re-upholstered. Measures 28" in width, 29" in depth, 41" in height. ...