Napoleon III Rococo Revival Executive Swivel Chair – Button-Tufted Burgundy Leather with Gilt Crest

Design & Inspiration

There is a particular authority that settles over a room when the right chair occupies the right desk. This executive swivel chair, faithfully reproduced in the tradition of the Napoleon III / Second Empire period (1852–1870), carries exactly that authority. Its silhouette — the shaped cartouche back rising to a sculpted crest, the scrolled open arms, the deep burgundy leather pooling across the seat — speaks to an era when the director's chair was not merely furniture but a declaration. The Napoleon III period revived the exuberance of French Rococo with a decidedly theatrical confidence, and this chair captures that spirit without apology.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The frame is hand-carved from solid pine, shaped into the characteristic contoured back panel with its undulating cartouche outline — a silhouette that the Second Empire's ébénistes perfected for the great boardrooms and ministerial offices of Paris. The wood is finished in a warm cherry-toned hand-rubbed lacquer that allows the grain to remain visible beneath a surface of quiet depth. At the crest of the back, a cast antique-gold bronze cartouche — an urn flanked by scrolling acanthus leaves — anchors the entire composition. Matching bronze rosette mounts accent the lower back panel and the seat corners, giving the piece its characteristic Second Empire ornamentation. The upholstery is genuine burgundy leather, applied in the capitonné (button-tufted) technique across both the back and the generous seat, bordered throughout by a continuous run of dark nailhead trim that traces every curve of the frame. The five-star pedestal base, turned in solid wood and mounted on smooth-rolling casters, provides stability and 360° rotation — a practical concession to modern office use that does not compromise the chair's classical presence.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 62 cm / Depth: 65 cm / Height: 127 cm
Wheel Count: 5 | Swivel Base: Yes | Upholstery: Genuine Burgundy Leather | Ornamentation: Gilt Bronze Cartouche & Rosette Mounts | Country of Origin: Egypt

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every element of this chair is produced by hand in Egypt by craftsmen trained in the European classical tradition. The carving of the back crest, the application of the capitonné tufting, the setting of each individual nailhead — these are acts of patience that no machine replicates. Brass & Wood sources its solid pine specifically for its dimensional stability and the quality of surface it provides to hand-finishing. This is a chair that rewards close attention: the closer you look, the more intentional every detail becomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this chair made from?

The frame is hand-carved solid pine with a cherry-toned hand-rubbed finish. The upholstery is genuine burgundy leather applied in button-tufted (capitonné) style with dark nailhead trim. Decorative mounts are cast in antique-gold bronze. The swivel base is solid wood on five-star casters.

Is assembly required?

Minimal assembly is required — typically attaching the base to the seat column. Full instructions are included, and the process requires no specialist tools.

Can this chair be customized?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization of leather color, wood finish tone, and brass mount finish. Contact our team to discuss your requirements before placing your order.