DESIGN DICTIONARY: Curule, Savonarola and Dante Seats
A chic room with two different forms of the curule seat.
If you are going to walk the walk, you should talk the talk.
What is the difference between Curule, Savonarola and Dante seats?
Curule, savonarola and dante seats are all variations of a chair, stool or bench with an x-shaped base.
Curule seat and examples
A curule seat is the oldest variation. Think, throne. The highest dignitaries sat on it back in Ancient Rome in the 6th century B.C. "Curule" is derived from the latin term for chariot, "currus." The seat's legs are joined in the middle like an X. Typically, the legs curve upward in a U shape and downward in an inverted U shape. Sometimes the legs curve outward creating legs with a wavy-X shape.
Curule stool
Curule seat with a wavy-x shaped base:
Curule chair
Brooke Shields has a chic curule stool in her home (don't miss those Hunt Slonem bunnies).
Brooke Shields' chic home with curule stool at right.
Matching curule chair and stool:
Curule chair and stool
Re-upholstered antique curule chair:
Curule chair upholstered in a Kelly Wearstler fabric
And take a look at a set of stools of the wavy-x variety in my friend Tami's house. I have shown this picture before because Tami has a beautiful burl console. Dang! That gal has great taste!
Pair of curule stools in the home of designer Tami Ramsay
Curule and Duncan Phyfe
In the early 1800's, American furniture maker Duncan Phyfe created an innovative variation of the curule chair. He designed a version that placed the x-shape in profile as opposed to the front of the chair. He also designed settees using U-shaped legs.
Side chair with 'Curule' (X-shaped) base, attributed to Duncan Phyfe (1768–1854), New York City, 1815–1830.
Settee with curule style legs Attributed to Duncan Phyfe (1770–1854) Date: ca. 1810–20
Current use
Today, many designers refer to any stool or chair with an x-shaped base (curvy, wavy or not) as a curule stool.
Contemporary form of the curule stool
Savonarola and Dante Seat
Savonarola and Dante are synonyms for a chair that developed during the Italian Renaissance. Although the chair appeared in the 15th century, it did not get its name until the 19th century. At that time, furniture dealers dubbed the chairs "Savonarola" or "Dante" after those important historical figures. Like a curule chair, its legs form an x-shape, but here the base extends to the arms.
Some chairs are made of several cross-like slats that fold "campaign" style. This folding version has led to the nickname, "scissors chair."
design-dictionary-savonarola-chair
A 17th century Savonarola chair
Savonarola chair
Others developed without the slats, and did not fold. Both types of chairs were often adorned with textiles.
Dante chair. 15th or 16th centuries (textiles); late 15th or early 16th centuries (chair)
Versions persist throughout history, including Harvey Probber's midcentury design:
Harvey Probber's version of the Savonarola chair from the middle of the last century.
Inspiration
curule chair
Curule stool, bone inlay
A chic iron and lacquered contemporary version of the curule stool
Curule stool
Photo credits: Line drawing of curule stool. I will update if notified. Curule chair and stool, about home.Curule chair in Wearstler fabricTami Ramsay's stools from LonnyDuncan Phyfe chair.Duncan Phyfe settee. Savonarola chair open and closed, from Etsy. Dante chair with textiles. Harvey Probber chair. According to google image search the table, chair and bookcase is an Anna Wintour interior. Canopy bed and bone stools.iron stools Last image source unknown-I found it on Pinterest.