SesselFormen

Sesselformen is a term used in German-speaking design discourse to describe the typologies and silhouette varieties of armchairs. It encompasses variations in backrest geometry, arm support, upholstery, and overall proportions, and is used to analyze how chairs express function, materiality, and cultural context.

Historically, Sesselformen trace European chair design from ornate examples of the early modern period to the simplified lines of modernism. In the 18th and 19th centuries, chairs commonly featured high backs, rolled arms, and extensive upholstery; in the 20th century, modernist movements favored lower profiles and modular or exposed-frame construction; contemporary practice often combines ergonomic research, sustainable materials, and digital fabrication.

Typical forms include high-back and low-back chairs, winged chairs, tub chairs, Bergère-style chairs, club or lounge chairs, and ergonomic task-armchairs. The classification emphasizes backrest geometry, arm integration, seat depth, and leg support, with variations in materials from wood and metal to molded plywood and foam upholstery.

In design history and curatorial work, Sesselformen provides a framework for cataloging chairs, comparing period styles, and guiding restoration. The concept remains relevant in furniture education, product development, and digital modeling, where form and function are analyzed together.