THE CHAIRS

The chairs are straw bottomed and they come from benches and pews of the middle ages, mainly seen in churches.

They evolved as the rest of the furniture did, becoming finer, leaving the L.XIIIth and LXIVth struts behind ; they took on a more supple shape and their official style. They became adapted to being used in country life, still staying straw bottomed ­ "Capucine" chair ­ keeping their strut, their bars in between the legs.

Therefore they were strongly constructed, as well as being extremely esthetique. In the place of their straw bottoms, Indian cane was also imported and used. This type of cane was appreciated by the whole country. They can also be covered in leather, oriental material or horse hair matress.

The objects that are most representative of the "Regional style" are chairs and armchairs made of walnut, mulberry or alder woods, strawbottomed sofas (with three or four places) as well as material sofas covered in cushions, without arms or back. (They are usually influenced by a rather oriental style).

Their decorations are restrained. Only the front wood pieces have a motif, sometimes a flower or a foliated scroll. Even the rarest and oldest might have a grenade or a L.XV "rocaille". The legs are either turned or L.XVth and the armrests have either the leg which comes higher than the straw bottom, or an independant strut by the leg. The sitting place is big and usually in a trapezodale shape . The height of these chairs means that they are more apt to be used for sitting in front of a fireplace than for having a meal at a table. Certain models are painted, but the majority are waxed. .