A large-scaled and elegantly designed French 1940s Klismos chair with deep incurved back with scrolled terminals; above a leather seat of criss-crossing straps all raised on dramatic splayed supports; purchased in Paris in 1993 (receipt attached); good vintage condition with sturdy frame and seat; some wear to painted surface; later leather strapwork

The klismos chair was originally designed by the Ancient Greeks in the 5th Century BCE. While no actual chairs survive from antiquity, representations of the chairs can be seen in Greek pottery, relief carving, and Roman-reproduced statuary. Klismos chairs are known for sweeping lines and aesthetic beauty, as well as comfort offered by the concave back rest. These elements, along with the chair's roots in Classical Greek and Roman eras, made it popular in Greek Revival and Neoclassical styles.