Known for comfort and elegance, bergères à oreilles are armchairs with high-rising side walls (or “ears”, hence the name “à oreilles”), designed for the sitter to rest their head on. First appearing in the Louis XV period, bergeres have deep, low cushions surrounded by filled arms. The rectangular back of our chairs indicates that ours were crafted in the style of Louis XVI (they were hand-carved in the 1800s). A gray finish with blue accents was added to the wood frames more recently.

The upright backs are highly detailed, featuring beading on all edges (except for the verso side) and slightly raised spiral fluting on the top. Most of these carvings are interrupted by a wonderful crest consisting of a toppled urn with a floral bouquet that extends along the top rail and a crinkle ribbon that hangs from the urn. A carved leaf can be seen on each arm where the ears terminate, just above a small manchette upholstered in beige. Similarly, the back, wings, and cushion are all covered in the same linen textile and affixed by numerous metal nailheads (not original upholstery).

On the other side of the manchette is a leaf volute handrest filled with a rosette. The sinuous arm stumps also contain a rosette and foliate margent motif. Four square joints interrupt a molding of tulip tips under beading located beneath the cushion. The two front joints are festooned with florets, which are echoed by a floral margent carving beneath the front rail. All four legs are carved identically, topped with a demi-lune leaf cup over a chandelle-fluted cylindrical body that terminates in another leaf cup. A ring of beading graces the top of the long cylindrical foot. Our lovely painted bergères à oreilles can be used in almost any room of the house.

CONDITION: Good antique condition, with minor age separations and rubs to paint. Slight losses and nicks to the wood frames, with very light wear to the upholstery. Both the painted finish and the upholstery were added more recently.