Today I am highlighting the very beautiful Klismos chair. Even if you are not familiar with furniture styles, the Klismos is one of the centuries most popular and recognizable chairs with roots firmly planted in the 4th century BC in Ancient Greece. This light, elegant chair was developed by the Greeks and perfected in the 5th century BC and remained popular throughout the 4th century BC. The Klismos is remarkable for its four gently curving legs and curved back rails with a narrow concave backrest between them. It has long been depicted on Ancient Greek pottery and has been resurrected in the French Directoire, English Regency, American Empire and Neo Classical styles, only to gain popularity again in the designs of the 21st century.
The Klismos just might have faded into history were it not for the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum in the mid-18th century. The discovery of Greek and Roman ruins sparked the Neoclassical revival in Europe. Click on the link to read more about this ancient chair. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klismos
Check out the ancient Klismoschair, with its curved backrest and tapering, outcurved legs, on the stele of Xanthippos, Athens, ca. 430-20 BC
![[396px-tombstone_xanthippos_bm_sc628.jpg]](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2gXduQkkO4o/Sz5aGeL32LI/AAAAAAAAEHc/W-VEoZzCDjQ/s1600/396px-tombstone_xanthippos_bm_sc628.jpg)
And the modern versions of today…
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As a graduate of the Art Institute of Dallas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design, Katie is inspired by art, travel, fashion, found objects and nature, while keeping a budget-friendly mind.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Very interesting post, Katie. Loved reading about the history of these beautiful chairs. All of the pictures are great, but my favs are the wooden chairs featured in Apartment Therapy and the gorgeous black and white print chairs from Elle Decor. I want those!!!
So many beautiful chairs…adore the last two images with the gold backs – so pretty!!
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