History of the Bergere

One of our favorite designs, the Bergere Chair dates back to the reign of King Louis XV. It was a time of enlightenment, the Siecle des Lumieres as the French called it, an era of peace, prosperity and change. Women's place in society was changing and their influence could be found in the designs of the time. The Bergere Chair was created to be wider and deeper than a traditional armchair, with a thick seat cushion, and padding on the armrests, perfect for lounging. Today, this timeless piece remains a classic for its comfortable, yet beautiful design. ‌

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For hundereds of years, French furniture was made to be grand and bold, but not particularly comfortable. Much like today, fashion was informed by the wealthiest people and this meant that Kings and their Court defined what was à la mode. Prior to King Louis XV, Kings were the only people permitted to sit in armchairs in Versailles, but that all changed with the advent of the Bergere. Originally designed by Jean-Baptiste Tilliard, the bergere is a “curved armchair with a low seat and an exposed wood frame that was highly carved and often gilded, and included fabric covered panels between the arms and seat.”‌*

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