A Brief History of the Lounge Chair

The chaise longue, “long chair” in French, has a story that spans not only continents but also centuries. A hybrid of a chair and a daybed, the lounge chair has been a constant symbol of leisure, style, and ingenuity.
In ancient Egypt, chaises were made of woven palm fronds, cord, and rawhide, later evolving into wood or stone versions with carved headrests. They were both status symbols and functional furniture, offering respite from the desert heat. Cleopatra herself is said to have reclined on one.
The Greeks took the form and created the “kline,” used during banquets in a semi-reclined position. In China, chaises found their place in gardens, blending relaxation with a deep cultural connection to nature.
In the Victorian era, the chaise evolved into the “fainting couch,” a refined resting place for tightly corseted women, often with a single high armrest. By the early 20th century, leisure culture was growing, and designers began reimagining the chaise for a modern audience.
In the mid-century modern era, the lounge chair became popular. Designers embraced the idea that furniture should be both beautiful and functional, and used modern materials such as steel, molded plywood, and fiberglass, making new forms possible.

Mid-Century Modern & the Reinvention of Comfort
In 1928, architect Le Corbusier, with Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret, introduced the LC4 Chaise Longue. Featuring a sleek chrome-plated steel frame, it offers multiple reclining positions. Nicknamed the “relaxing machine,” it embodied the modernist marriage of engineering and sculptural elegance.
American designers Charles and Ray Eames later brought playful curves and organic shapes into the mix with their molded fiberglass chaise designs. Their work helped define the optimistic, forward-looking style that became synonymous with mid-century modern living.
Designers like Milo Baughman in the U.S. and Maurizio Tempestini in Italy added glamour and artistry, producing sinuous silhouettes and striking forms that graced both chic interiors and resort terraces.
On August 16, 2025, Vogt Auction will present Mid-Century Madness on Bidsquare, a curated selection of furniture, lighting, art, and design. Among the highlights are striking lounge chairs, each with a design lineage stretching back thousands of years.

Featured Lots

After Le Corbusier (1887-1965, FRA), Chaise Lounge Chair (Lot 3)
Estimate: $500 - $800

A faithful nod to the LC4, this piece captures Le Corbusier’s modernist precision.

Sixinch USA S1 Lounge Chair (Lot 14)
Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500

This sculptural form nods to mid-century experimentation while embracing contemporary materials and bold, playful geometry.

After Milo Baughman Blue Wave Chaise (Lot 18)
Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Baughman’s influence is evident in the flowing curves and sense of luxury.  A chaise that is as a statement piece and an indulgence.

Pair of Tempestini Radar Chairs (Lot 16)
Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500

Italian design at its finest: sculptural, comfortable, and instantly recognizable as mid-century art for the home.

Slim Aarons, Poolside Gossip (Lot 17)
Estimate: $2,500 - $3,500

A cultural companion to the furniture on offer, Aarons’ photograph captures the era’s glamorous leisure lifestyle in full swing.

From Cleopatra’s throne to the sun-soaked patios of Palm Springs, the lounge chair has remained a cultural symbol of comfort and sophistication. Vogt’s Mid-Century Madness Sale offers collectors a chance to own pieces that not only look stunning but also carry forward a design tradition thousands of years in the making.

View the full catalog and register on Bidsquare.com.