Iconic Chairs from the 20th Century

Chairs have attempted to suit our needs both for comfort and for style. For centuries styles from the French designers and furniture craftsmen working during the reign of the Louis Kings produced ornate and elaborate fauteuils and bergeres, chairs to suit the glorified tastes of Louis XIV through Louis XVII.

The English furniture designers and craftsmen simplified the French designs and created the graceful Queen Anne and the iconic Chippendale style chairs and furniture. These simpler designs crossed the Atlantic only to be replaced by another iconic chair, the Shaker Chair, and the much simpler and primitive Early American style.

In the 20th century chair styles ranged from the upholstered and ergonomically designed Eames Lounge chair to the simple seating perfect for a New England summer, the Adirondack chair. During the time of the industrial age in America light weight but strong materials were used in the production, the mass production, of chairs. One became an icon, it was the sling chair.

There still is a fixed leg version of this chair with a simple fabric cover stretched over the black, sturdy iron frame and a lighter, more portable, version which, shockingly, is extremely comfortable. This sling chair has only the stretched naked fabric hanging loosely within the frame, but it seems to fit each body individually when used, and is very comfortable.

The sling chair has the ability to fold and store in the trunk of a car, it is perfect for the beach, or any sporting event without bleachers. The sling chair has become an American icon.