Bergère Armchair | History and evolution of a design classic
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Bergère armchair | History and evolution of a design classic

The origins of the Bergère armchair date back to the 18th century, and more specifically to the France of King Luigi XV, in response to the needs of an affluent social class increasingly desirous of comfort. Luxury and opulence were becoming defining elements of status, creating a real divide between those who could afford a wealthy life and those who simply survived. The Bergère armchair was originally conceived as a seat for shepherds and country people, but it was soon adopted by the nobility, who embellished its shape, asking specialized artisans to make it more comfortable and cozy, especially for ladies who wore wide skirts and large amounts of fabric at the time.

From this need came the first Bergère chairs, distinguished by the high, padded backrest that envelops the body and offers optimal support for the head and neck. Prominent at the top of the backrest are the characteristic “ears,” lateral extensions that allow the head to rest and lend a touch of elegance and intimacy to the ensemble. The armrests are usually rounded and well padded with an exposed wood frame to better enhance the craftsmanship behind them. To like it there may or may not be the presence of a footstool to rest the feet on. As a whole, the bergère armchair meets the comfort needs for those who find themselves maintaining a sitting position for a long time, fighting the onset of pain in the contact parts or back.

Over time, the success of this seat led to the creation of numerous variations in taste and style, such as the armchair bergère en confessionel with the consolidation of the voluminous ears at the top of the backrest and the Cabriolè model, with a more enveloping shape typical of the French Régence style. Other variants consist of the “cockpit” armchair, with a wrap-around back, the Confidente, wide enough to accommodate two people, and the Chauffeuse, placed near the fireplace and equivalent to what the English called the “grandfather’s seat.”

The various evolutions led more and more to modifications necessary to meet the needs of the times or to the change in the materials used, which unlike the first (silk, velvet and linen) had better resistance or allowed a different performance. The introduction of leather and other more modern materials also further extended the range of possibilities, marking the takeoff of this armchair in living rooms around the world.

 

Here are some examples of brands whose collections feature bergère models:

1919 – Poltrona Frau

An armchair that seems to want to merge the traditional bergère model with an even more historic workmanship, capitonné. The result is unique, beautiful to look at and above all comfortable for all those who wish to relax or enjoy a pleasant conversation. 1919 is an armchair with an exquisitely retro touch, where numerous handcrafted details stand out, combined with Poltrona Frau’s skillful mastery in always creating something new and unique, suitable for the most modern styles. This armchair features wide seat, wrap-around back, the “ears” and upholstered arms of the bergère, repurposed to make it extremely elegant and sophisticated. Upholstery may be fabric, but it stands out and is enhanced by Pelle Frau leather, the company’s staple.

Papa Bea Chair – PP Møbler 

Papa Bear Chair is an armchair born from the creative genius of designer Hans Wegner, whose trait has been able to blend contemporary taste with clear references from the last century. In particular, it takes its cue from the traditional bergère armchair, known for its high back, padded armrests, wide seat and “ears” placed at the top of the structure, ideal for accommodating the head and making the seat more comfortable overall. This model clearly takes the stylistic features of the iconic armchair, revisiting them and making them its own, expanding the upholstered part and enriching it with capitonné work. The upholstery can be leather or fabric, depending on taste, but it is present everywhere to enhance the total rendering. An ideal element for the living area, Papa Bear Chair also finds a place in bedrooms, inside private studies or more, without ever clashing.

Ardea – Zanotta

Abundant and visual, Ardea is an armchair that exploits references to the bergère armchair model, yet enriches them with its own personal vision of the beautiful and the functional. The solid wood base is only glimpsed in the feet, while the structure emerges in the tall, slender seat, the upholstered base, and the “ears” above. Zanotta uses its craftsmanship to create a one-of-a-kind armchair that is beautiful to look at and, above all, to live with as it is equipped with every element necessary to be comfortable and convenient. The padding covers both the backrest and the armrests, creating a perfect synthesis of elegance. Ardea was created as a tribute to Mollino’s original 1946 model and lends itself very well to conversation, but it also allows you to experience a quieter, more collected dimension.

Pochette – Baxter

An armchair where the Baxter company’s taste in creating objects that recall the taste and style of years gone by is strongly evident. Pochette is an armchair full of references to the bergère armchair model, whose high back and “ears” on either side of the face that accommodate the head and allow more than total comfort. Unlike the inspirational model, Pochette features very generous padding that covers its entire structure to envelop the body from every direction, creating a feeling of total relaxation and welcome. Baxter provides extremely prominent leather upholstery, another sign of the company’s personal reinterpretation of the past model.

Febo Bergère – Maxalto

An armchair where references to the original bergère model can be felt, whose salient features it takes, revisiting them in a thoroughly modern key. The high, enveloping backrest is an initial decisive reference to that aesthetic designed to create maximum comfort and timeless elegance. The wide, upholstered seat is also designed to create a parallelism with the past where an attempt was precisely made to combine the beautiful with the practical. Of a different inspiration, however, is the absence of armrests and the total coverage of the internal structure in order to create a clean, uninterrupted line that makes Febo Bergère as a whole an excellent element for any room in the home.

Guelfo – Opinion Ciatti

Designed by Lapo Ciatti, Guelfo was born with the desire to revisit in a sophisticated and very modern key the most famous armchair of the eighteenth century, the famous bergère here re-presented together with the pouf. Both the armchair and the pouf feature special capitonné work, another historical homage to the armchair by definition, available in both fabric and leather. Seat and back are upholstered to enhance comfort, further enhanced by the presence of the classic “ears” at the top, near the head. Scenic and at times ironic, Guelfo is ideal for adding a touch of personality to exclusive contract environments and refined home settings.

Dorotea – Zanaboni

Craftsmanship and design find a perfect synthesis in this armchair with a classic and traditional style. Dorotea is an armchair that features a high back and wooden frame, which is also visible from the outside. The covers are made of fabric in different colors and textures. The strength of this item lies not only in the quality of the materials used, but also in the design that recalls the traditional bergère provided with a high back, “ears” and padded armrests to make seating more comfortable and convenient. The further addition of a cushion makes the whole even more cozy. Dorotea lends itself well to both conversation and simpler relaxation in the company of a book or magazine.

Louis XV Goes to Sparta – Baleri Italia

Louis XV Goes to Sparta is an armchair designed by Maurizio Galante + Tal Lancman for Baleri Italia. Its unconventional structure and out-of-the-box design are reminiscent of the stylistic features of the more classic bergère armchair, here revived and rethought in a modern key to better suit the taste of our time. The plywood frame features padding that makes it extremely comfortable. The upholstery is silk and polyester with Carrara marble photographic print to create a unique optical illusion that is definitely out of the box. The line re-presents all the key elements of the bergére, from the high back surmounted by the classic “ears,” to the upholstered base and the armrests that are also upholstered, retaining that retro touch that despite the passage of time never loses charm.

Guscioalto Light – Flexform

An armchair that can stand out in any environment, living and standing out for its elegance and sophisticated functionality. Guscioalto is part of a collection of armchairs designed by Flexform to meet contemporary comfort needs, attentive to taste but above all to the most practical aspect of our daily lives. The beauty of the forms is enhanced here by the high backrest, upholstered armrests, upholstered seat, and slightly pronounced legs that enhance the structure as a whole. The inspiration seems to be the historic bergère armchair, of which Guscioalto traces some of the stylistic features, rejuvenating them and making them more contemporary, while retaining all their aesthetic charge. The leather or fabric upholstery further enhances the comfort of this model, ideal for both the living space and other rooms in the home.

D.156.3 – Molteni&C

The mastery of Gio Ponti finds expression in this armchair with a dynamic and modern design, made of angles and essential lines bent to form a whole of great expressiveness. This armchair by Molteni&C lives by a line of its own whose inspiration seems to have come from the more traditional bergère armchairs, here represented by the high cut of the backrest surmounted by two lateral “wings” and in the wide and spacious seat, perfect for accommodating the body in great comfort. D.156.3 expresses an ability to furnish made up of details and small touches that make the object as a whole incredibly fascinating. Ideal for home spaces, it adapts perfectly to more formal settings and public situations.

Gentleman Reserved – Poliform

Poliform’s Gentleman armchair range expresses a design inclination of elegance, attention to detail and unparalleled visual composition that has always characterized every creation of the brand. Specifically, the Gentleman Reserved armchair stands out for its nostalgic cut that seems to recall some details of the famous bergère armchair, here visible in the high, curved back, the wide seat flanked by upholstered armrests and the presence of a pouf to rest the feet. All in all, an armchair suitable both for those who like to converse and relax, pleasantly enjoying the feeling of an all-round embrace. Poliform makes this piece available with fabric and leather covers.

Bergère – Reflex

A name that already represents the source of inspiration for an armchair that is rightfully among the best proposals of the Reflex brand. Bergère was born from the creative ability of Emanuele Missaglia and respects in many details the characteristics of the armchair whose name it bears: high back, wide seat, armrests and upholstered cushions. Overall, a true tribute to the progenitor who spread throughout the world the notion that sitting could be synonymous with relaxation and well-being, concepts that until then were not always conjoined. Reflex makes this armchair available in a variety of colors and covers, including leather and extremely fine fabrics.