Napoleon III Rococo Revival High-Back Armchair - Gilt Cabriole Legs & Pleated Floral Jacquard

Design & Inspiration

There is a particular kind of chair that does not wait to be noticed — it announces itself from across the room. This high-back armchair, faithfully reproduced in the tradition of the Napoleon III Rococo Revival period (1852–1870), carries exactly that authority. The towering upholstered back, the deeply scrolled and shell-carved gilt cabriole legs, and the warm salmon floral jacquard fabric work together to create a presence that commands any room it enters. The Second Empire court demanded furniture that was simultaneously theatrical and intimate — this chair delivers both.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The frame is constructed from solid beech, carved by hand into the dramatically scrolling cabriole legs that define this piece. Each leg terminates in a full C-scroll foot and rises through a pronounced knee carved with a shell-and-acanthus motif — the signature ornament of the Rococo Revival vocabulary. The entire leg assembly is finished in a high-gloss gold leaf gilding that catches the light with every angle shift. The seat, back, and armrests are upholstered in a rich salmon-toned floral jacquard, its ground woven with bouquet and ribbon motifs characteristic of Second Empire textile design. The outer back and sides feature a distinctive gathered and pleated treatment in toning plain velvet, creating the draped softness that distinguishes this chair from a standard salon piece.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 58 cm / Depth: 65 cm / Height: 102 cm
Weight: 15 kg
The chair's 102 cm height gives it a genuine vertical presence — the back rises well above seated eye level, giving the piece the silhouette of a throne chair while remaining perfectly scaled for a bedroom corner, a dressing room, or a formal salon. The seat depth of 65 cm provides genuine comfort alongside the decorative intention.

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every chair in the Brass & Wood collection is built by skilled Egyptian craftsmen who have trained in the traditions of European classical joinery and decorative carving. The hand-gilded cabriole legs are carved, sanded, gessoed, and gilded in successive layers — a process that cannot be replicated by machine. The pleated fabric treatment on the back is cut and gathered by hand for each piece individually. This is not production-line furniture; it is a made-to-order piece that carries the mark of the hands that built it. Customization of fabric color and finish is available on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this chair made from?

The frame is solid beech. The visible carved elements — cabriole legs, knee scrolls, and shell motifs — are hand-carved from the same timber and finished in high-gloss gold leaf gilding. The upholstery combines a floral jacquard fabric on the seat and back face with a pleated velvet treatment on the outer back and sides.

Is this chair suitable for a bedroom?

Yes — its proportions (58 × 65 × 102 cm) make it ideal as a statement piece in a master bedroom corner, beside a dressing table, or at the foot of a classic bed. It also works in a formal living room or private reception salon.

Can the fabric or finish be customized?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization of upholstery fabric color and wood finish. Please contact our team with your specifications before placing your order, as lead time is 30–45 days from order confirmation.