In this next article in our series on the history of chairs we’re going to look at chairs of the 18th century.

With the coming of the 18th century, chairs started to become more informal and started to replace the bolt upright look of the courts and the aristocracy that was common during the time of Louis XIV. Around 1720 the commodious seat was developed in Paris, France. The new Rocco chairs were comfortably upholstered on removable frames secured by clips so that changes to the chair could be made to accommodate both winter and summer temperature and humidity conditions. These early Louis XV chairs were upholstered a la reine, with the back in a flat panel that was placed squared to the wall. This way the top rails curves complimented those of the panels behind them.

French fashion in chairs came from Paris as did everything else of the times. From the late 1720s, Louis XV French chairs were made without stretchers because they interfered with the unified flow of curved seatrails into cabriole legs. These usually ended in scrolled feet. This style was strictly enforced until the revolution when they were made mostly by a menuisier in association with the person who made the upholstery who was the huissier. These people specialized in furniture making in Paris. Specialized seats were developed and given some pretty fancy names. The most popular of these was the bergere or “shepherdess”. The woods used to make most of these chairs were walnut and beech. The finishes of the chairs were made in very light tones. The days of the dark finishes were coming to an end. In some cases, the chairs were left in their natural color and were unfinished. Most of the unfinished chairs were made from walnut because it looked better unfinished than beech. In some provinces fruitwoods became very popular for chair making. These were considered variations on the traditional French models. These variations were produced mostly by Bordeaux and Liege between 1725 and 1780.

In the late 1760s the first, what are called, neoclassical chairs were manufactured in Paris. These were made even before the ascension of Louis XVI whose name is actually associated with these models. The legs of these chairs were straight tapered fluted. They were joined by a block at the seat rail. They also had architectural moldings. The leading chair makers of this style during the 1770s and 1780s were Louis Delanois, Jean-Claude Sene and Georges Jacob.

The 18th century is considered the golden age of the chair. This was especially true in France and England where there were many different ideas for chair making going around. Diderot wrote extensively about these chairs in his encyclopaedia. One of the most famous chairs of the period was the Louis Seize chair which had an oval back and a very ample seat. It also had descending arms and round-reeded legs. It was upholstered in Beauvais and woven in Boucher or Watteau-like scenes.

In our next article in this series we’ll pick up with chairs of the 19th century.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Chairs
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It has to be a titanic match and it lived up to the expectations. Italy started with pace in park and creating early openings. With both teams willingness to attack early the match seems to be an open match rather than a tactical stalemate.

Totti astute pass to Perrotta created the first clear opening of the match but Perrotta’s first touch left much to be desired and took the ball away from him and invited Lehmann to make a brave save.

Midway through the half as the game slowly and steadily turning into a midfield mudsling Pirlo pass was intercepted and Klose released Schneider for a clear shot on goal. Unfortunately for Germany he blown it away, no wonder he has just scored one goal in 70 odd matches.

Italy bright start and dominant possession had one bleak side that they failed to translate it into goals before the half time.

The second half was all together a different story. Germany came out as a team possessed and clear in its thought of what has to be done to dispose the Italians. Ballack start imposing himself on the game and substitute Odonkor send some beautiful crosses.

One of those crosses was well held by Podolski on a turn but the shot was brilliantly saved by Buffon. With attack few and far between from the Italian side it seemed that they are happy to play for the extra time.

In the extra time the Italian came out blazing hitting the crossbar and post in the first three minutes of extra time. German goal was living its charmed life, defense was all over as Juaquinto regularly beating Lahm on the flanks to create opportunities.

At the end of the first half of extra time Germany got its best opportunity of the match. Podolski received a free header in front of goal from a cross by Odonkor. Nobody in the stadium believed he missed it.

In the second half of the extra time the game totally opened up. There was no midfield of note and teams are either attacking or defending. Germany made early inroads and Podolski thunderous shot was brilliantly saved by Buffon.

As the match seemed to going to penalties Pirlo fired a shot at Lehmann , which was easily diverted to corner. On the resulting corner slack defending led to the impossible. A brilliant curling left foot shoot from Grasso ending into the back of the German goal. I will be surprised if it won’t be among the best goals of the tournament.

Two minutes to left Germany went for broke to equalize and Del Piero took the advantage on brake and scored Italy’s second with the last kick of the match.

Germany’s dream is shattered and nightmares of 1982 are back.