Antique chairs add a great deal of depth and charm to a home. They invoke a period of history when beauty and graciousness prevailed in everyday life. Antique chairs reflect the social history of these periods. If you are thinking of buying antique chairs either for your home or for investment, some knowledge of their history will be helpful in your decision making process.

Let's start with the Louis XIII period. The year is 1636, and use of the word armchair ('chaise a bras') is first documented. The middle classes are rising, and family life is becoming more important. This type of chair is conducive to conversation. It can be easily moved in order to adjust for other people coming into the room. If you enjoy entertaining, Louis XIII chairs will be a good choice. As we enter the Louis XIV period, chairs become more elaborate. Seating arrangements began to follow a hierarchical order. The princes would sit in arm chairs, while the titled lords would have chairs without arms. Courtiers sat on stools, and the ladies in waiting sat on cushions on the floor.

In 1740, during the reign of Louis XV, we find the fauteuil cabriolet. The backrest of this chair is designed to follow the curve of the back. In 1776, the neoclassical influence popular during Louis XVI's reign had a profound influence on chair design. Flowing curves were replaced with straight-lined designs. However, in contrast to this rigorous form, the tapestry upholstery become more elaborate.

While the French were perhaps the most elaborate designers of antique chairs, the antiquities market contains chairs from many cultures. Your choice of antique chair is dependent on your room size and color scheme, as well as the periods of other pieces in your room. Explore pieces from different countries and time periods prior to making a choice. An antique chair is not something you will throw out in a few years. Choose wisely.