Savonarola Chair

Italy 1840

Ebonised Savonarola armchair. Smart and sturdy. 

Styled after the X framed folding chairs that date back to ancient times which were originally a symbol magisterial power, the name Savonarola comes from the nineteenth century trade term evoking Girolamo Savonarola. Savonarola was an Italian Dominican friar and preacher who led Florence during the Renaissance his inlaid portrait can be seen on the back rest of the chair. It is believed he owned a chair of this style which is why monks can be seen to be using folding chairs of a very similar construction in their small rooms.