Two of my favorite seats are the French duchesse and the French bergère.
They are both wonderful pieces of furniture and stand just beautiful in every home.
The duchesse is a French type of daybed, originated in the French 18th century (from LXV on).
image source : http://www.liefalmont.com/
You really should check the Lief Almont website, you will find gorgeous pieces of antiques for sale!!!
And a duchesse brisée is a duchesse that is composed of either two pieces (a chair and a chaise) or three pieces (two chairs and an ottoman) that fit together as puzzle pieces to farm a large chair. It is a variation of a daybed.
A couple can sit facing each other in a duchesse brisée.
image source : http://www.huntforantiques.com/
If you are interested in this 18th century walnut duchesse brisée, click HERE.
image source : http://rosesandrustblogger.blogspot.com/
image source : Axel Vervoordt via Trouvais
image source : http://www.garnier.be/
This duchesse brisée is for sale at Brigitte & Alain Garnier Antiques. If you are interested in it, click HERE.
image source : http://www.garnier.be/
This is a duchesse composed of three pieces.
A bergère chair is a large arm chair usually associated with the French country style of decorating. It usually has un upholstered seat, possibly with a loose cushion, an upholstered back, uphostered arms and exposed wooden frame. And it is often displayed with a matching ottoman or stool.
image source : http://belim.be/
image source : Art & Décoration Mai 2011 – Photo credit : Olivier Hallot
image source : Inspiring Interiors Photo credit : Anthony Lanneretonne
image source : Lefèvre Interiors Photo Credit : Jo Pauwels
Which one do you prefer, the duchesse or the bergère?
xx