Louis XVI Neoclassical Gilded Side Chair - Carved Floral Wreath Splat

Design & Inspiration

Some chairs furnish a room. This one defines it. Drawn from the refined vocabulary of the Louis XVI Neoclassical period — that elegant mid-1770s turning point when French court design shed the last of its Rococo curves in favour of architectural clarity — this gilded side chair commands attention through restraint and precision. The eye travels upward from fluted tapered legs to a soaring 110 cm back, arriving at an open splat of three linked floral wreaths joined by ribbon and crowned with a ribbon-bow crest inside a rectangular frame with canted upper corners. It is a composition as deliberate as a piece of engraved silverwork.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The frame is built from Romanian solid redwood seasoned to below 10% humidity — a dense, stable hardwood that holds the carver's detail across decades without shrinkage or movement. Every surface has been finished in an antiqued gold leaf application that deepens in the recesses and catches the light on raised edges, giving the gilding the warmth of age rather than the flatness of paint. The four fluted tapered legs rise to leaf-carved capitals set at the seat rail corners — a hallmark of Neoclassical joinery — and the carved seat rail incorporates rosette blocks at each junction. The seat is upholstered in a cream floral jacquard with a central medallion motif and finished with a piped edge that traces the shaped seat rail's gentle scallop. Handcrafted in Egypt by artisans trained in the European classical tradition.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 48 cm / Depth: 44 cm / Height: 110 cm
Leg style: fluted tapered with leaf-carved capitals | Splat: three linked floral wreaths, ribbon-bow crest | Seat fabric: cream floral jacquard, piped edge | Finish: antiqued gold leaf | Wood: Romanian solid redwood

Handcrafted in Egypt

Each chair produced by Brass & Wood is handcrafted in Egypt by artisans who work from historical references and period pattern books. The carving of the wreath splat, the application of gold leaf, and the upholstery finish are all completed by hand — no two chairs are precisely identical, which is precisely the point. This is not factory reproduction; it is craft in the classical sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this chair made from?

The frame is Romanian solid redwood (below 10% humidity) with an antiqued gold leaf finish. The seat is upholstered in a cream floral jacquard fabric with a piped edge.

Is this a side chair or an armchair?

This is a side chair — it has no arms. The open carved splat and high back make it suitable for formal salon seating, dining, or accent placement in a bedroom or reception area.

Can this chair be customized?

Yes. Fabric colour and pattern can be adjusted to complement your interior. Contact the Brass & Wood team to discuss customization options before placing your order.