Information on Greek & Roman Chairs

Before the 16th century, chairs were only used by royalty and priests though they have been around for centuries. The first known seats dated back to the Egyptian time period. Early Greek furniture was influenced by the Egyptians. Designed for one person, the chairs would feature a back, a pair of legs, a seat and would sometimes come with arm rests. Greek and Roman seats were also used by the nobility and later in churches and cathedrals. Depending on the time period, the comfort of these chairs could range from sparse to being built and designed with intrinsic patterns and luxurious seats.

Greek Stools

Citizens of Greece, who were not part of the nobility, used stools. Two distinctive types were found in Greek households that were both popular and affordable. The most common stool was the bathron, which had a seat and four legs. The diphros okladias featured three supportive legs shaped to resemble a tripod.

Greek Chairs

Greek chairs were made out of bentwood, which means the wood was bent to fit the chair design instead of being cut into shape. These first chairs had sloping backs as part of their overall scheme.

Chair Usages

Used by women, the cathedra was known for being a movable Greek and Roman chair. During the early Christian times the bishop sat in one of these seats. Churches that had this chair for the bishop later became known as cathedrals.

Roman Chairs

Official Roman chairs were called sellae and they were used by the dignitaries in Rome. The sella curalis, the most significant types related to luxury at the time, were royal seats. These chairs featured two pairs of bronze legs and were fashioned to resemble elephant tusks, depending on the chair design.

Sella Curalis

At the time when Rome was a republic, magistrates, consuls and censors were the only authorities who used the sella curalis. While the empire was in existence, the emperor would sit on these chairs and while he was away, there was a stone statue in his place.

Historic Significance

Romans thought of their furniture as a status symbol. Depending on how much money and societal influence that the nobility had, different types of wood would be used. Certain members would make sure their wood came from Africa. The cost of some of the chairs during that time period could pay for a nice car or down payment on a house today.

European Influences

Greek furniture was influenced by the Egyptians, the Roman furniture was influenced by the Greeks, except it was more opulent, and the rest of Europe eventually borrowed both the Roman and Greek designs. Even now, the chairs may be modern but the Greek and Roman basic patterns remain the same.

References

• History Made Every Day