What is a bergere chair?

A bergere is a French upholstered armchair characterised by enclosed sides filled with upholstery or cane work. It offers a wider and deeper seat than a standard dining or side chair. The style emerged to provide greater comfort and warmth away from draughty rooms, creating a private seating enclosure for reading or socialising.

How do I tell Louis XV and Louis XVI styles apart?

Louis XV style pieces display flowing, asymmetrical curved lines, cabriole legs, and naturalistic rococo leaf carvings. These forms feel organic and rounded in their silhouette. Louis XVI style shifts toward geometric straight lines, symmetry, fluted columns, and neoclassical motifs like ribbons and oval medallions. The structural stance appears much more architectural and upright.

Were these chairs used in dining rooms?

While most bergeres function as low salon, library, or bedroom seating, variations like caned dining chairs appear in sets. Their low profile suits lounging rather than upright dining. When utilised around a table, they offer substantial comfort due to their enclosed padded arms and sprung or stuffed seat bases.

How do I care for antique cane panels?

Antique cane requires gentle dusting with a soft brush and occasional light moisturising to prevent the natural rattan fibres from drying out and snapping. Avoid placing them near direct heat sources. Sagging cane can sometimes be tightened by dampening the reverse side with warm water and allowing it to dry naturally as it shrinks back into tension.