Object of the Day: Victorian Memory Chair

Called a “Memory Chair,” a “Wedding Chair” or, in French, a “Mariage,” these beautiful objects do, indeed, resemble an ornate chair. Usually embellished with mirrors and gilt ornamentation of leaves and birds, the Wedding Chair’s tufted red velvet “seats” were designed to hold the bride’s veil and diadem or perhaps her bouquet after the wedding ceremony.

Topped by a large glass dome to protect this reliquary-of-sorts, the happy couple would be able to have a constant visual reminder of their wedding day. I’m fortunate to have collected two of these hard-to-find antiques. Both are in good condition though they are missing their domes (which rarely survive). Even without their bridal relics, they are beautiful works of art on their own.

Notice the detail in the ornamentation. Much care was taken in the construction of these pieces. One even retains the original wax roses that had been threaded around the framework and the delicately painted birds on the central mirror.

I like to think that they still retain the energy of many happy memories.  Though the bride who lovingly preserved a piece of her special day is long gone, and though I have no idea who she is, I always hold a good thought for her whenever I see my memory chairs.