French Style Open Chair
These french style open chair designs bring continental character to a room, offering elegant seating with exposed wooden frames.
French Style Open Chair
A french style open chair combines exposed wooden framing with upholstered seats and backrests designed for formal salons or dining rooms. The selection ranges from nineteenth-century revivals to earlier eighteenth-century examples, capturing historical aesthetics.
Most pieces encountered here follow the Louis XV and Louis XVI traditions, alongside Empire and Regency interpretations. These armchairs and dining chairs feature distinct open arm structures rather than fully enclosed padded sides.
What Varies in Quality
The depth and crispness of the hand carving on the wooden frame separate standard production from finer craftsmanship. Smooth joints and well-balanced proportions indicate superior cabinetmaking.
The choice of covering material, from antique tapestry to high-grade silk, influences the overall presence of the chair.
French Style Open Chair Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for french style open chair among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Some walnut armchairs crossed oceans on art deco ocean liners before finding new homes.
Jacob Desmalter·Thomas Chippendale·Blaise Maucuy
The French Style Open Chair Glossary
- Fauteuil
- An open-armed upholstered armchair with an exposed wooden frame. This term specifically denotes French seating of lighter proportions.
- Bergère
- An enclosed or semi-enclosed upholstered armchair with padded armrests and a solid upholstered back.
- Giltwood
- Wood that has been coated with a thin layer of gold leaf. It creates a reflective, decorative surface on furniture frames.
- Aubusson
- A style of hand-woven tapestry traditionally used for French upholstery and wall hangings. These textiles often feature pastoral scenes or floral bouquets.
- Directoire style
- A transitional design period bridging Louis XVI and Empire styles. It favours neoclassical restraint and simplified geometric lines.
French Style Open Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fauteuil?
A fauteuil is an open-armed wooden armchair featuring upholstered elements. It typically dates from French periods and revivals.
These chairs were designed for sitting in drawing rooms and salons with formal dress.
How do I identify Louis XV style?
Louis XV style is defined by asymmetrical curves, cabriole legs, and organic rococo carvings. The overall shape avoids straight lines.
Floral motifs and scrollwork are prominent across the wooden frame of these chairs.
Where were these chairs used?
These seating options were originally placed in grand French chateaux, salons, and formal dining spaces. They served as both functional seating and decorative status symbols.
Today, they function as occasional chairs in living rooms or studies.
Are giltwood frames delicate?
Giltwood surfaces consist of thin gold leaf applied over gesso and wood. They require gentle dusting without chemical cleaners to preserve the finish.
Placing them away from direct sunlight protects the underlying material.