Caned Bergere Chair
When you search for a caned bergere chair, you are looking for an enclosed, low-slung seat woven from cane that invites relaxed sitting.
Caned Bergere Chair
A caned bergere chair is an upholstered or partially open armchair characterised by woven cane panels on the back and sides, appearing frequently in mahogany, walnut, and oak.
The versions most commonly met span the Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian periods, alongside French revival styles from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Forms range from deep library armchairs and library suites to dining chairs, tub chairs, and occasional seating designed for domestic comfort.
Materials and construction
Frames are constructed from dense timbers such as mahogany, rosewood, walnut, and oak, sometimes ebonised or finished to mimic rarer woods like simulated rosewood.
Cane panels are hand-woven from rattan cane, utilised in single or double layers to form tight geometric patterns that provide flexible support.
Upholstery elements integrate leather, velvet, and various fabrics, often paired with loose cushions resting directly on the caned seat base.
Children also needed proper seats, leading makers to build miniature high chairs and armchairs with full caned panels.
Differences in quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of the timber carving, the choice of well-figured hardwoods, and the tightness and regularity of the hand-woven cane work.
Proportion and execution distinguish standard production pieces from fine cabinet-made examples, particularly in curved frames and turned supports.
James Shoolbred·Gillows
The Caned Bergere Chair Glossary
- Bergere
- An enclosed armchair with upholstered or caned sides and back, developed in France during the eighteenth century.
- Caning
- A weaving technique utilising strips of rattan plant material to create breathable panels in chair frames.
- Tub chair
- An armchair featuring a continuous curved back and arms forming a rounded enclosure.
- Giltwood
- Timber treated with a thin layer of gold leaf or gilt finish, often seen on revival salon chairs.
- Ebonised
- Wood stained or painted black to imitate expensive ebony timber.
Caned Bergere Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bergere chair?
A bergere chair is an upholstered armchair featuring solid wooden sides filled with woven cane panels.
These seats typically offer a deeper and wider seat than standard dining chairs, designed for lounging.
How do I care for cane?
Cane requires moderate humidity to prevent the natural rattan fibres from drying out and snapping under pressure.
Cleaning involves dusting gently with a soft brush and avoiding harsh chemical treatments.
Are these chairs comfortable?
These seats are designed for relaxation, often featuring low profiles and angled backs for supported resting.
Many examples include original or replacement loose cushions placed directly over the cane seat.
Can cane be repaired?
Damaged cane panels can be entirely re-woven by skilled artisans using traditional hand-caning techniques.
Original frames benefit from professional conservation to maintain the structural integrity of the timber.