Armchair (Bergère à la reine) (one of a pair) (part of a set) 1780 - 1790

This Armchair was designed by Jean-Baptiste-Bernard Demay, as part of a set, sometime in the late 18th to early 19th century. The Bergère à la reine, or 'chair for the queen,' represents far more than mere furniture. It is a symbol of French aristocracy and the rigid social hierarchies of pre-revolutionary France. Consider for a moment the experience of sitting in this chair. It was designed for the comfort of a woman of high status, her identity inextricably linked to her position in the court. The floral patterns and delicate curves speak to a feminine aesthetic, yet they also reflect the power and privilege afforded to those in positions of power. The chair's very existence is steeped in the labor and resources extracted from the lower classes, a stark reminder of the economic disparities that fueled the French Revolution. It invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between luxury, power, and social justice, both then and now. How might sitting in this chair change your perspective?