<p>
	Until the Renaissance period seating was on benches, chests and stools and even during the Renaissance only the very rich could afford chairs. The first chairs were heavy and square shaped, often covered in tapestry or in brass studded leather. In the 18th C chairs became lighter and more available.<br />
	The <a href="http://www.antiques-in-france.com/antiquites/-/louis-XV/-/chairs">Louis XV style chair</a> is&nbsp; gilded and on cabriole legs. it was followed by the <a href="http://www.antiques-in-france.com/antiquites/-/louis-XVI/-/chairs">Louis XVI style chair</a> on tapered and fluted legs.<br />
	During the 19th C&nbsp; mass produced chairs were available to all and in all styles.&nbsp; The 20th C saw the use of new materials such as metal tubes, fiber glass and moulded plastic.</p>