Louis XV Rococo Side Chair - Carved Cabriole Frame with Wine Red Damask

Design & Inspiration

There is a particular quality to a well-proportioned dining chair: it disappears into the room when empty and becomes the room's focal point when occupied. This Louis XV-inspired side chair achieves that balance. The cartouche-shaped back — gently arched at the crown and narrowing at the waist before widening into the seat — is the defining silhouette of the French Rococo dining tradition, a form refined in the ateliers of Paris between 1730 and 1770 and never truly improved upon. Set against the warm cherry tone of the hand-rubbed solid wood frame, the wine red damask upholstery deepens every room it enters.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The frame is built from solid cherry wood seasoned to below 10% humidity — a standard that ensures dimensional stability through seasonal changes and resists the warping that compromises lesser chairs over time. Each cabriole leg is hand-carved, rising from a delicate scroll foot through a graceful outward curve to meet the serpentine apron with its central carved cartouche motif. The frame's hand-rubbed cherry finish is applied in successive layers, each worked into the grain by hand, producing the depth of color that distinguishes a craftsman-made piece from a factory finish. The upholstery is a structured damask woven in a traditional large-scale floral repeat — the same vocabulary of ornament that Rococo cabinetmakers chose to complement carved wood frames. Front and back panels are upholstered separately: the front in the full damask repeat, the back in a coordinating wine stripe that reveals itself only to those seated behind — a detail that rewards careful making.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 60 cm / Depth: 50 cm / Height: 106 cm
The chair's proportions are calibrated for standard dining table heights. The tall back at 106 cm commands visual presence across a dining room without overwhelming a standard ceiling. At 60 cm wide, the seat is generous without crowding a table set for eight. The 50 cm depth provides comfortable support through a long dinner. No assembly is required — the chair arrives ready to place.

Handcrafted in Egypt

This chair is handcrafted in Egypt by artisans working in the tradition of European classical furniture reproduction. Brass & Wood's workshop brings together the precision of period-accurate joinery — mortise-and-tenon construction throughout — with finishing techniques passed through generations of craftsmen. Customization of fabric color and finish is available; contact Brass & Wood to discuss your requirements.

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 structured wine red damask fabric — woven with a traditional floral repeat on the seat and front back panel, with a coordinating stripe on the rear panel.

Is assembly required?

No. This chair arrives fully assembled and ready to use.

Can the fabric or finish be customized?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization of upholstery fabric and wood finish. Please contact our team before placing your order to discuss available options and lead times.