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Desk chair (Fauteuil de bureau)

ca. 1750
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 547
This type of comfortable chair, known in French as a fauteuil de cabinet or a fauteuil de bureau, was introduced during the eighteenth century specifically for use behind a desk. With its high wrap-around back, the sitter would straddle the front leg with his legs apart.




Etienne Meunier (master ca. 1732), is known for the production of such seats. His innovation was to arrange the legs not in the usual square manner but rather in a diamond-shape by placing one leg in front, thereby optimizing the chair’s stability. Displaying beautiful serpentine lines, the frames of Meunier’s desk chairs are often sparingly embellished with carved foliage scrolls and flowers. The two hinged arm pads open up to a small hidden compartment for the storage of personal items. The chair has kept its original leather upholstery.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Desk chair (Fauteuil de bureau)
  • Date: ca. 1750
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: Carved walnut; leather upholstery, brass nails
  • Dimensions: Overall: 36 × 31 1/2 × 23 in. (91.4 × 80 × 58.4 cm)
  • Classification: Woodwork-Furniture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Duveen Brothers, 1921
  • Object Number: 21.34
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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