Leather Club ChairLeather Club Chair
- Vintage.
- Found in a flea market in St. Etienne.
- Original horsehair upholstery and wood frame.
- Original leather.
- Brass nailhead trim.
- Shipped via White Glove. Flat rate shipping charge of $199 applies for unlimited furniture items on your order.
- 33.5' L x 36' D x 32' H x seat height 16'
Editor's notes
The French club chair, or fauteuil club, emerged in France in the early 20th century and quickly became an icon of continental style and comfort. Born during the Art Deco era, when craftsmen were exploring new silhouettes and sumptuous materials, the club chair was a radical departure from the stiff, upright seating of the 19th century. Its low profile, generous curves, and deep, embracing seat offered a luxurious new way to lounge—earning it the name “club chair” after the private gentlemen’s clubs of the time, where relaxation was paramount.
Early makers favored hand-tanned sheepskin or cowhide leather, which aged beautifully and developed the rich patina collectors now prize. With broad arms, a rounded back, and a weighty, grounded stance, the chair quickly became a symbol of effortless French elegance. Its construction emphasized durability and craftsmanship—solid wood frames, hand-stitched seams, and cushions filled with horsehair or down.
Throughout the 1920s and ’30s, the chair’s form evolved into signature shapes such as the “Moustache,” “Gendarme,” and “Chauffeur,” each reflecting subtle shifts in French design sensibilities. But the essence remained constant: a chair designed for comfort above all else, wrapped in leather that only became more beautiful with time.
Today, the vintage French club chair stands as one of the most enduring pieces of 20th-century furniture design. Loved for its sculptural presence and unmatched patina, it brings soul, history, and quiet luxury into any space—just as it did a century ago.
