Lotus position is a crossed-legged sitting posture in which each foot is on the thigh of the opposite leg.  Simple sitting, cross-legged, half a lotus sitting, lotus sitting, king sitting, hero sitting, and auspicious sitting are other names for this posture.

In addition, Hinduism, Buddhism and Yoga also use this meditative seating. The lotus pose is called Padmasana.

Later on you will discover how Padmasana inspired 20th Century designers to create unsurpassed original modern chair styles encouraging this lotus position.

Who Was First? – The B.C. Era

Egypt

Egypt may have invented the first four legged seats with a back between 2600-2700 B.C. These seats, reserved only for priests & royalty, were created with the most opulent materials available. Attached to each leg were feet illustrating hooves and claws of beasts made of ebony, carved ivory, wood and metal.

Chairs were objects of privilege in ancient Egypt.

Greek and Roman

Ancient Greek & Roman furniture turned up in the sixth or seventh century B.C. They made in lighter designs of distinguished maple, oak, and beech wood. More expensive designs for the rich could include stone and metal.

You first saw the word “throne” (thronos) being used in this period as immaculate seating for kings and monarchs of high honor.  For the upper class there was a less expensive seating called klismos.

There are many reasons the klismos chair was influential  and copied. Above all,  its unique curved backrest and legs design.  Precursor to the modern chair we see and use today.

However, it was the “backless stool” (diphroi / sella) that would appear in almost every Greek and Roman household during the seventh century B.C.

The A.D. Era

Chinese

In the Han Chinese culture (618-907 AD) sitting on matts and floors in the seiza and lotus pose were the chief sitting positions.

There is evidence of people sitting in chairs from 6th century Buddhist murals.  However, it was not a common practice.

The “camp stool” was a milestone in chair(s) evolvement. Most importantly, its introduction caused 12th Century chair designs to become widespread in China.

Nestorian missionaries imported these from central asia.

Indigenous Chinese furniture production ensued and chair designs became more obtainable and common to Chinese culture.

Renaissance

This period between the 15th and 16th Centuries was the change from Middle Ages to Modernity.  Certainly, it marked the coming-of-age story of the chair.  No more were they considered a mark of high office or for those of privilege.  They came into general use in society and were available to anyone who could afford them.

The Scissor Chair

New furniture designs and styles began to emerge. “Conversation chairs” were all wood, a lighter build and no panels under the seat or armrests.  These were popular up thru the Mid Seventeenth Century sporting no upholstery but,  leather, velvet and silk were used frequently on cushions.

Also, popular to lower classes was the x-shape or scissor folding chair. It’s frame resembled the letter “X” as viewed from the side or front. It was practical and affordable seating for the masses.

It’s important to note that Renaissance furniture had an architectural sense and was transformed by the Classical World. The degree of detail and ornamentation fluctuated among social classes, and just the wealthiest could manage the cost of the most intricate pieces.

19th Century

The 1800’s will bring in the age of Art Nouveau and The Arts and Crafts movements. Furniture, including chairs, will be heavily influenced by them. Art Nouveau would offer simplicity it its designs while The Arts and Crafts movement will produce heavier, straight lined pieces adding ornamentation.

No. 14 Chair

Noteworthy of this period is the “bentwood” furniture process.  Its created by wetting wood (steaming or soaking ) then bending it to create shapes or patterns and left to harden.  Michael Thonet of Thonet Brothers Furniture makers invented this process in 1859.

The iconic No.14 Chair (aka the bistro chair) was a prime example of bentwood furniture.  Thonet Bros revolutionized furniture making forever with this creation and mass producing lightweight furniture.

20th Century

Hope you have enjoyed our history of the chair trip. Fascinating! You just take seating and the chair for granted and never wonder how it came about.

Now, to answer the question, “How do Modern Chairs Mirror The Lotus Position?”

In previous centuries we saw wood (usually oak & maple) as the main element of design and construction of furniture.  20th Century technology provides new elements for chair construction such as metals, plastics, plywood and laminates.

This new technology would enable designers to use elements to create modernist furniture, architecture, art and better activities of everyday life.

Of course chairs would benefit from this tremendously.  Iconic lotus type chairs would evolve ,as well as, folding metal chairs, butterfly chairs, beanbag chairs and egg or pod chairs. An explosion of creativity thru this movement called Mid Century Modern.

Chinese furniture became widespread and the chair replaced camp stools and lotus mats.

After research you may notice that “lotus” style chairs have a wide seat, low slung arms and many times oversized cushions that encourage lotus position or simple sitting. Interested in more lotus position? Below is a link to “Lotus Posture Start-Up Kit” and a video “How To Do Lotus Pose”

NEXT:  Look for future post on “Who Were The Designers of Lotus Chair”

Lotus Posture Start-Up Kit

Billy

About MidModScout.com

MidModScout.com is an online resource for all mid-century modern enthusiasts. We feature helpful posts on MCM Home Décor, Interior Design, Wall Art, Textiles, Furniture, Vintage Artifacts, Graphic Arts, Modernism and more.

Collectors, Homeowners, and other lovers of MCM style art and furnishings will find our comprehensive online Resource Guides to be very useful.  So if you’re looking for Home Service Pros, Appraisers, Advisors & Consultants, Auctions or other local mid-century modern experts in the Atlanta Metro area, we’re a good source.  see  Resources

Who is the Mid Mod Scout?

Billy B. is an expert consultant in design and color in the Mid Century Modern style. He has degrees in Web Design from Emory University and in Advertising Design from Central Piedmont College. Since 2009, he has run his own successful freelance web design business in Atlanta, Georgia.

midmodscout.com

Using neutral color palettes, open room layout designs, mixing wood and metal, and use of old factory accessories is a great start for building this style .

It is a general misconception, that industrial style decor is restricted to urban lofts or smaller-city dwellings.  Actually, with a little creativity, you could disperse industrial design thru your interior and rooms of a larger home. Bring a little of this aesthetic into your country home for more open, uncluttered and modern feel.

This Industrial look is contemporary, yet may have an old factory vibe. More ideas and materials on your shopping list may include: Hard wood floors or concrete, metal elements accessories and furniture, salvaged or vintage pieces, antiques, etc..  Leave raw elements like exposed pipes, brick walls, large windows bare with no ornamentation. Your industrial style apartment should have a colder and utilitarian appearance, which is the look you’re going for.

Creating Industrial Apartments

Urban architecture with a warehouse “feel”usually is a great start to build this type of interior design.  Exposed bricks, wide open spaces & windows , hard wood or concrete floors and uncovered pipes only enhance industrial style.

An unfinished appearance is desired.  Aged concrete or brick walls, ceiling beams, pipes and wires should purposely be left uncovered.

When painting is needed,  simple colors of grey, rustic and neutral shades are suggested to give it a clean impression. 

Let your furnishings like, INDUSTRIAL FLOOR LAMPS, be the star of the room and the paint colors will be a nice complimentary background.  That is to say, textures & raw materials in architecture should be dominant over wall color for the industrial style apartment.

Wood – Metal – Accessories

Industrial design style screams for bold (sometimes large) prominent objects. They may need some open space to stand out. Open space is a very important factor in this style. The space you use and the space you don’t use is critical and could cause overcrowding in your room, if not careful.

Mixing wood and metal pieces throughout your place, will enhance this design plan quickly. Weathered wood / timber pieces and brush finished metal or chrome could be smart choices. Finish off with Edison Bulb Lamps and your starting to have a pretty good layout at hand.

Conclusion:

Industrial décor, furnishings and style are unique.  Many elements have burnished, darker characteristics (as opposed to) the color pop of Mid Century Modern.  Peeling off paint, exposed brick and concrete block give a vintage & rustic look.

There are many reasons that industrial style is sustainable.  Above all, it’s a classic interior design  bringinging  some of the old and some of the new.  That gives you an immediate head start on this wonderful modern and versatile design style.

More Places:

FRESHOME – Industrial Design? The Perfect Blend Of Old & New

MID MOD SCOUT – The Industrial Home

ABODO – 5 Key Elements to Create an Industrial Style Apartment

Billy

About MidModScout.com

MidModScout.com is an online resource for all mid-century modern enthusiasts. We feature helpful posts on MCM Home Décor, Interior Design, Wall Art, Textiles, Furniture, Vintage Artifacts, Graphic Arts, Modernism and more.

Collectors, Homeowners, and other lovers of MCM style art and furnishings will find our comprehensive online Resource Guides to be very useful.  So if you’re looking for Home Service Pros, Appraisers, Advisors & Consultants, Auctions or other local mid-century modern experts in the Atlanta Metro area, we’re a good source.  see  Resources

Who is the Mid Mod Scout?

Billy B. is an expert consultant in design and color in the Mid Century Modern style. He has degrees in Web Design from Emory University and in Advertising Design from Central Piedmont College. Since 2009, he has run his own successful freelance web design business in Atlanta, Georgia.

midmodscout.com