The chaise longue is a common piece of furniture found in many living rooms and bedrooms. As the name implies, its function is to provide a place for someone to lounge on their back or side. The history of chaise longue chair can be traced way back to ancient Rome.
What is a Chaise Longue?
In English-speaking countries, the chaise longue (also known as “shayz long”) is more popularly recognized and spoken as “chaise lounge”. “Chaise Lounge” is a combination of the french words “chair” (from “chaise”) and “lounge” in English, which transforms to “chaise lounge.” This is due to English speakers’ negligent spelling, which has led to the acceptance of both spellings and pronunciations as correct.
A reclining chair with a long, upholstered back is called a lounge chair. It refers to any long, upholstered chair in which you can relax. To put it another way, it’s an upholstered chair that’s long enough for you to rest your feet on.
Unlike modern daybeds that serve as a sofa-like seat during the day and a bed at night, chaise longues aren’t mainly built for sleeping. Assume a position somewhere between sitting up and lying down.
Chaise Longue in Ancient Egypt
Archaeologists suspect that the long chairs discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs are the earliest known historical examples of the chaise longue, dating to about 3000 BC. For the wealthy, the frame would be made of wood with an ivory or ebony veneer. Palm sticks and wicker were most likely used to make these furniture items for the less well-off Egyptians.
Chaise Longue in Ancient Greece
During the 8th century BC, reclining in a long chair while eating or conversing was typical for the Greeks. The word “chair” derives from the Ancient Greek term kline or klinai, which refers to a type of chair. The kline would be draped in multiple fabrics and supported by cushions against the headrest. They were in everyday use during Greek symposiums, gatherings where men would drink and converse together in rows of these kline couches against three walls.
Chaise Longue in Roman Empire
The Romans liked to recline during meal times and banquets, much like the chaise longue in Ancient Greece. There was also a term for sitting in this position to eat: accubatio or reclining at the table. The Roman chaise longue was called a lectus. On the other hand, the Romans weren’t skilled in upholstery, so wood would be used to make the lectus, and stack cushions on top for added comfort. The Romans, who enjoyed festive occasions and banqueting much the same way as the Greeks, adopted many customs and architectural elements from their Greek counterparts. It was known as a commission and referred to the social night-after-dinner drinking for much of the night.
Modern Chaise Longue
The modern chaise longue that we are generally familiar with was first created during the 16th century in France. They were produced by french furniture makers for aristocrats to relax and unwind in the company of friends or alone during the day. During the 1800s, the chaise longue came to be seen as a luxurious throne for women to rest in during the day. The chaise longue became a status symbol during the French Rococo period when they were intricately constructed from only the finest and most costly of materials.
Today, the chaise longue is no longer regarded as a classic piece of furniture but rather a status symbol for the modern home. They’re frequently seen outside of the bedroom, where they serve as a beautiful boudoir chair for bedroom sitting and somewhere to sit while putting on shoes and socks. Due to their relaxed nature, they should place in a house where people may take leisure. The chaise longue is generally found in the bedroom, sunroom, reading room, or anywhere in the house or garden where one may relax. However, most plush chaise longues are not intended for outdoor use.
Chaise Longue Types
Méridienne
The méridienne form of chaise longue is the most well-known. These are the most popular chaise longue in contemporary furniture, with an asymmetrical back and headrest. A méridienne allows you to recline comfortably at an angle without fear of tumbling off the chair. To offer the most incredible serenity, méridienne chaise longues are typically cushioned and upholstered.
Récamier
The Récamier chair, unlike the méridienne, will be symmetrical and feature two raised ends that serve as headrests and footrests. Although there is no “back” to the Récamier chair, either end can function as a backrest. The name “Récamier” comes from Madame Récamier, a French woman who popularized the chaise longue in the early 1800s after posing for her portrait, painted by Jacques-Louis David.
Duchesse Brisée
The Duchesse brisée (which means “broken duchess”) is named because the chair and long footstool that make up the chaise longue can join together to form the chaise longue or be used separately as separate pieces of furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
What is a chaise lounge used for?
The chaise lounge is ideal for resting, reading, or napping while sitting upright since it offers comfort while reclining. They’re designed for one person to stretch out on and are similar to sofas in terms of structure. The backrest is at only one end, making them essentially like sofas.
Are chaise lounges practical?
Despite the fact that the elongated part of the chaise longue is meant to be used as a footrest, it also serve as a comfortable seat for the entire family or guests.
Comments are closed.