Louis XVI Neoclassical Medallion-Back Dining Side Chair in Champagne Damask

Design & Inspiration

Place this chair at the head of a formal dining table and the room shifts register. The oval medallion back — that instantly recognizable signature of Louis XVI Neoclassical design — rises with quiet authority, its continuous hand-carved rope-twist border framing the damask panel like a picture within a picture. This is a side chair that understands its role: to be seen across a candlelit table as much as to be sat in.

Faithfully reproduced in the tradition of the French Neoclassical period (1760–1800), the chair draws from the design vocabulary that replaced the playful asymmetry of Rococo with disciplined geometry and classical references. The oval or "médaillon" back was the period's defining chair silhouette — popularized by royal ébénistes and adopted in the grandest dining rooms from Versailles to the Faubourg Saint-Germain. Where Louis XV chairs curve and flow, this one stands: straight fluted legs tapering to carved spade feet, a level seat rail with carved frieze detail, and a back that frames its occupant like a portrait.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The frame is carved from solid cherry wood seasoned for dimensional stability across Egypt's variable climate. The cherry-toned hand-rubbed finish brings out the warmth of the grain without masking it — a finish that deepens with age rather than fading. Each leg is individually hand-fluted, the channels running in precise parallel lines that catch light as the chair shifts in the room. The seat rail carries a continuous carved egg-and-dart frieze, connecting the chair's classical vocabulary from base to back. The oval back ring is edged with a hand-carved rope-twist molding — a detail that rewards close inspection. The over-upholstered seat and oval back panel are dressed in a champagne-ground damask woven with a large-scale floral medallion pattern in sage, gold, and soft celadon — a fabric weight and pattern scale appropriate to the chair's generous proportions.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 54 cm / Depth: 53 cm / Height: 107 cm
Side chair without arms. Designed to pair with a matching carver armchair for a complete dining set. Available in customizable fabric and wood finish options.

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every chair in the Brass & Wood collection is produced by hand in Egypt by artisans trained in classical European joinery and upholstery traditions. The frame joinery uses mortise-and-tenon construction for structural integrity, while the hand-carved details — fluted legs, carved frieze, rope-twist back ring — are executed individually, making each chair subtly unique. This is not mass production with classical styling; it is craft furniture that happens to be made in the present day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this chair made from?

The frame is solid cherry wood with a hand-rubbed cherry finish. The upholstery is a champagne damask fabric with a large-scale floral pattern.

Can this chair be customized?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization in fabric choice, fabric color, and wood finish. Contact our team to discuss options for your dining room scheme.

Is this chair sold individually or as a set?

This listing is for a single side chair. Matching carver armchairs and complete dining sets are available — contact us to configure the right set for your table size.