BY JEAN-BAPTISTE LELARGE, LATE 18TH CENTURY

A very distinctive type of chair, the voyeuse, was used in the late 18th century, for the observation of card-games or plays. The voyeuse à genoux, also called voyeuse pour femme or voyeuse en prie-dieu, was fitted with a very low seat, and intended for the spectator to kneel on, facing backwards, with their arms resting on the padded top-rail. The voyeuse assise, also called voyeuse d'homme or voyeuse à cheval was fitted with a seat at a lower height and intended to be sat on, astride, with arms similarly resting at the top of the back, which was lower in height to afford viewing.