The Art of the Recliner: A Chair with a History
Folks, we have some exciting news. We want to introduce you to FJORDS, a wonderful Scandinavian company producing some of the most comfortable recliners being made today.
Starting May 21st through the end of May all Fjord models are 20% off.
If you’ve been thinking about investing in a quality recliner, now is the time!
We are proud to represent a family owned company built by three brothers out of Norway who take tremendous pride in quality and craftsmanship, inspired by the strength and beauty of nature.
You may choose from a colorful selection of leathers.
They also sell really comfortable chairs and ottomans and a few classic sofas.
They even have reclining sofas and loveseats for the ultimate relaxing experience.
Ideal for a home theatre!
We’ve come a long way from the first “lift chairs” of the 1790’s, invented as dental chairs with adjustable head and foot rests!
According to Fatherly.com, “History indicates that chaise lounges and daybeds – early forerunners to common recliner chairs – have been around since ancient Egypt.
In fact, many depictions of Greek gods and goddesses show them sprawled out on noticeably decadent daybeds called “klines.” Through their evolution, the chaise lounge and daybeds stood for luxury and wealth.”
Here’s a brief history for you:
Ancient Egypt
The first ever recliner can be traced back to Egypt when the gods and goddesses used them for their relaxation. The ancient chair served as inspiration for the modern day invention.
The dentist’s chair
The dentist’s chair was first invented in 1790. The back and head rest was used by dentists to allow better vision and reach inside the patient’s mouth.
France
In 1850, reclining chairs became popular in France. They could be used as a chair, bed, or lounge chair. Even Napoleon III had one.
By the later part of the century, these chairs were a more common choice for most people.
La-Z-Boy
By the 1920’s, brothers, Edward Knabush and Edwin Shoemaker created La-Z-Boy, founded in 1927, which revolutionized the chair market. The chairs found a place in many homes and popular culture shows like All in the Family, Friends, etc.
Recliners have undoubtedly been one of the most comfortable pieces of furniture to have been invented.
POP QUIZ:
Is this RECLINER famous?
Yep! It is the actual chair from the TV show "Frasier" and it is currently hosted at the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle, WA
Its a familiar sight to most of us, unless you were too young to have watched tv between 1993-2004. It belonged to Martin Crane on the show, FRASIER. As ugly as it was, Martin could never give it up despite his son’s posh high-rise surrounds over the course of the entire show.
Newstatesman wrote an article about this very chair that explains its significance:
At the end of season one, there’s an episode where The Chair gets thrown out by a dopey workman who is supposed to put it in storage, and Martin is unhappy with the replacement, even though Frasier puts duct tape on it and scatters peanuts around it.
Eventually, Frasier wrings out of him why he wants his old chair back:
Martin: Okay, I’ll tell you what chair I want. I want the chair I was sitting in when I watched Neil Armstrong take his first step on the moon. And when the US hockey team beat the Russians in the ‘80 Olympics. I want the chair I was sitting in the night you called me to tell me I had a grandson. I want the chair I was in all those nights, when your mother used to wake me up with a kiss after I’d fallen asleep in front of the television. You know, I still fall asleep in it. And every once in a while, when I wake up, I still expect your mother to be there, ready to lead me off to bed... Oh, never mind. It’s only a chair.
So, don’t underestimate the value of a great recliner!
Hope to see you all soon at the store!
— Mike & Co.
This post was written by Suzanne Fortescue for LEGACY MODERN
