French Louis XVI Bergere Chair in Walnut by Rudolph & Hein of New York

Details

Description

There are chairs you sit on, and then there are chairs you are quietly invited into. This bergère falls squarely … Read more There are chairs you sit on, and then there are chairs you are quietly invited into. This bergère falls squarely in the latter category.

With its gently enveloping back, gracefully flared arms, and perfectly judged proportions, this early-20th-century bergère chair embodies the kind of comfort that was once engineered with seriousness and a faint sense of moral responsibility. The walnut-toned frame is crisply defined, resting on turned legs that taper just enough to suggest elegance without ever appearing delicate. It is a chair that expects to be used—and fully intends to survive it.

Upholstered in a soft, classically patterned textile in muted ivory and pale sage, the chair balances refinement with approachability. Brass nailhead trim traces the silhouette with quiet discipline, while the shaped arms—capped in matching upholstery—offer exactly the sort of support required for long conversations, reflective pauses, or the reading of a book that may or may not be improving your character. The loose seat cushion provides generous comfort without surrendering structure, a detail that reveals the hand of a maker who understood longevity as a design principle.

This piece was crafted by Randolph & Hein, a respected American furniture firm active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Based in New York and San Francisco, Randolph & Hein built their reputation supplying finely made seating and case furniture to upscale residences, clubs, and hotels at a time when American craftsmanship was finding its own voice—borrowing freely from French and English traditions, but refining them for modern living. Their work is known for solid construction, well-seasoned hardwoods, and upholstery frames designed to be reupholstered repeatedly rather than discarded.

This bergère reflects that philosophy perfectly. Its lines echo Louis XVI and Directoire influences, yet the execution is distinctly American: practical, sturdy, and quietly confident. Nothing is exaggerated. Nothing is wasted. Every curve has a purpose.

Ideal for a living room, library, bedroom, or refined office setting, this Randolph & Hein bergère chair integrates seamlessly into traditional, neoclassical, and transitional interiors. It offers visual warmth without shouting for attention and provides comfort that improves with acquaintance.

In short, this is the kind of chair that ends arguments, slows afternoons, and makes you sit up just a little straighter—not because it demands it, but because it deserves the courtesy.

Measures 37.5 tall x 30 wide x 30.75 deep and seat height is 18.25 See less