From a gift to Pope Leo XIII in 1892 to the dining halls in Queen Victoria’s palace to the Kennedy wedding, The Oscars and Royal State Dinners…
The Chiavari Chair (a.k.a. “Tiffany Chair”) has always been the chair of choice.
The concept for “Chiavarine” design was born when Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi was apprenticed to one of the best master carpenters of Chiavari, and became a master craftsman himself. In 1795 the Descalzi brothers opened a furniture workshop. In 1796 he received a silver medal for two wooden chests of drawers from the Chiavari Società Economica.
Descalzi‘s Original Chivari Fruitwood Ballroom Chairs
In 1807 Descalzi was challenged to design a new, modern chair, based on an earlier French design he had seen. Descalzi created a simple, practical and elegant design for a cherrywood chair — both light and robust. Descalzi exploited traditional knowledge, paid strict attention to quality and developed new manufacturing techniques. Chairs using the “Chiavarine” design became extremely popular and were purchased by many of the monarchs of the time. Descalzi’s furniture designs won numerous medals at trade shows while his sons, Emanuele and Giacomo and their descendants continued the chair making industry that he had founded, some continue to make furniture today. What makes Chiavari chairs different from other styles? It’s their their unique bamboo-like joints. This gives Chiavari chairs a simple, yet elegant, appearance that’s perfect for weddings and other formal occasions.
The Enduring Allure of The Chiavari Chair
A Chiavari chair is a light-weight chair that is distinguished by its signature bamboo-like joints that are carved into its frame. This iconic look has become synonymous with elegance, class, and sophistication. They may also be called “Tiffany Chairs.” While the name is often misspelled as “chivari” or “chavari,” the original name and correct spelling for this style is “Chiavari.”
Chiavari chairs rose to popularity after being used at John and Jackie Kennedy’s wedding reception in 1953 for their 900 guests. Since then, the reputation of the chair style only grew in the public eye with the assistance of modern media using them to seat celebrities at the Oscars and Golden Globe award ceremonies.
Why is the Chiavari the most elegant chair for weddings and events?
They just ooze elegance and sophistication. Chiavari chairs strike the perfect balance between naturalness and elegance, not overly ornate and certainly not plain. They look great without the need for chair covers or decoration and are available in numerous colors — gold, silver and mahogany – with this range of colours it means there is a colour for every occasion. Naturally elegant style, they look good Chiavari chairs are perfect as they are.
Our Chiavari Chair Collection is lightweight yet sturdy
Chiavari chairs are a lightweight, stackable chair which makes them extremely practical as they can be moved easily by venues, something that is particularly helpful if the chairs are being used for a wedding ceremony and then being moved to be used for a wedding breakfast and evening reception. Our Chiavari chairs are also extremely durable, all commercial quality and tested to British standards for strength and durability. They’ll always still look great at the end of the evening. The open design of Chiavari chairs means that they have the opposite effect and really do open up rooms.
Chiavari chairs are available in a different material options to meet varying needs, preferences, and budgets. Our Wooden Chiavari chairs provide a natural and rustic look for a more traditional or old-fashioned décor. Although there can be some variation in the stain between chairs, a wooden option can be easily refinished to cover up blemishes. Their weight capacity can be around 450-1,000 lbs. Our Resin Chiavari chairs are extremely strong and highly durable against impact and strain. Because the material is colored throughout, scratches and blemishes are naturally hidden. Their weight capacity can be around 1,000 lbs.
