IN THE MUSEUMS : Château de Fontainebleau
Voyeuse chair for women – Louis XVI era
Voyeuse chair that was carved and painted and features mouldings and the Château de Fontainebleau’s coat of arms.
Donated by the Kraemer family.
Location: Château de Fontainebleau
Jean-Baptiste Boulard created this voyeuse chair in 1786. It was intended for the sitting room of the King’s First Manservant.
Boulard was a famous carpenter who specialised in the manufacturing of chairs. He was the King’s private carpenter and was a supplier for the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne. He also created numerous pieces of furniture for the Château de Fontainebleau, whose coat of arms can be found under this voyeuse chair. Boulard created a set of chairs intended for “le service du Roi à Fontainebleau, Cabinet intérieur” (for the King’s personal collection in Fontainebleau) in 1786 and for members of the royal family.
These voyeuse chairs were low enough for women to kneel on; this allowed them to watch games of cards. The back of this chair features a flat area at the top which served as an armrest.
