Item 3231 Pair of Savonarola Chairs Dimensions Width 27, Height 36, Depth 19 (in inches) Wood Poplar or beech with walnut finish Date Circa 1910 Country France or Italy Price $3295 Description It is almost unheard of to find a matching pair of "Savonarola" chairs with lions' heads carved on the armrests.  Crafted in the early 20th century entirely of hand-carved poplar or beech with a dark walnut finish, these chairs are exquisite examples of a style whose history is as old as Europe itself.  Originally called an "X" chair because of its curving frame crossing at the central joint, this design is the original "folding chair."  In the style's earliest incarnation, it was treasured by the commanders of ancient Rome's armies as ideally practical, comfortable and portable on long campaigns to the far-flung edges of the empire.  Later, in the 12th and 13th centuries, the design was widely used but chairs were crafted from iron or bronze instead of wood.  In Medieval and Renaissance times, particularly in Italy and southern France, it was updated for use in homes, frequently with fabric looped around the arms and over the back.  Within the world of French antiques, this design is commonly known as a "sedia Savonarola" or "Savonarola chair," presumably after the Dominican cleric, Girolamo Savonarola, the éminence grise behind the Florentine Republic until his execution in 1498.  Although we cannot confirm it, we speculate that the association between Savonarola and French antique furniture stems from the occupation of Florence by the French army under King Charles VIII (known as "the Affable"), with whom Savonarola became allied in opposition to the Medici.  Perhaps the French troops became so enamored of the "X" chairs they found in Florence, that they took them back to France and named them for their local hero.  Whatever the origin of its name, the "Savonarola chair" became a staple of design in mid-sixteenth century France.  This style of chair enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in France as part of the 19th and early 20th century revival of gothic and Renaissance designs.  On a recent visit to Florence, we paid our respects to Savonarola's memory in the museum of the church and monastery of San Marco and were delighted to see not only his personal "Savonarola" chair but replicas sprinkled throughout the museum for the guards to sit on and watch over the visitors.  While perhaps appearing delicate, these chairs are not only sturdy but comfortable owing to their proven design and their  construction from solid wood.  These chairs should not be confused with the "fauteuil Dagobert" named for the 6th century king of France.  A replica of his throne, a variation on the "X" design, can be seen in the Basilica of St. Dénis outside Paris.  The "fauteuil Dagobert" style of chair is of less sturdy construction than the Savonarola chair and does not fold.  Reference Ader-Tajan, Collection Bruno Perrier Haute Epoque (Catalog for Sale at Auction on April 6, 1992 at the Hotel Drouot, Paris); Boccador, Jacqueline, Le Mobilier Français du Moyen Age à la Renaissance, Editions d'Art Monelle Hayot (Saint-Just-en-Chaussée, 1988) Uses These chairs work particularly well in a library or sitting room with a small table.  For maximum comfort, a pillow can be added to the seat.