The $68,500 Mystery: Where Is King Edward VII's Infamous 'Love Chair' Today?
Few pieces of furniture in history carry a legacy as scandalous and intriguing as King Edward VII's 'Love Chair', officially known by its French name, the *Siège d'Amour* (Seat of Love). Commissioned by the future King of the United Kingdom during his notorious days as Albert, Prince of Wales, this custom-made device was a symbol of his legendary appetite for pleasure and his corpulent physique. While the original chair's whereabouts remain a captivating mystery, its legend continues to fuel historical curiosity, with recent sales of high-end replicas proving its enduring, and expensive, cultural significance as of December 21, 2025.
The story of the *Siège d'Amour* is a perfect storm of royal scandal, Parisian decadence, and ingenious design, placing it at the heart of the Victorian and Edwardian eras' most salacious secrets. This single piece of erotic furniture was designed for a very specific, and highly unconventional, purpose, ensuring the King's comfort while entertaining multiple partners simultaneously at his favourite French brothel, Le Chabanais. Its existence highlights a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of royal history: the private life of "Dirty Bertie."
The Scandalous Profile of King Edward VII (Albert Edward)
The man who would become King Edward VII was, for most of his life, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. His long tenure as heir apparent, under the shadow of his mother, Queen Victoria, was marked by a series of public scandals and a relentless pursuit of private pleasures. He earned the infamous nickname "Dirty Bertie" for his numerous high-profile affairs, which spanned decades and included some of the most famous courtesans and society women of the time.
- Full Name: Albert Edward
- Born: November 9, 1841, at Buckingham Palace
- Died: May 6, 1910
- Parents: Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
- Reign: King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India (1901–1910)
- Wife: Alexandra of Denmark
- Successor: George V
- Nicknames: Bertie, Dirty Bertie, Edward the Caresser
- Notable Mistresses: Lillie Langtry, Daisy Greville (Countess of Warwick), and Alice Keppel (great-grandmother of Camilla, Queen Consort)
Edward VII was known for his diplomatic efforts, earning him the title "Uncle of Europe," but his legacy is inextricably linked to his hedonistic lifestyle. His frequent trips to Paris were less about statecraft and more about indulging his appetites, with the custom-designed Love Chair becoming the ultimate symbol of his private decadence.
The Anatomy of the Siège d'Amour: How the Chair Actually Worked
The need for a specialized piece of furniture arose from King Edward VII’s increasing girth and diminishing athleticism as he aged. He required a device that would allow him to engage in sexual acts with two women simultaneously without needing to exert much physical effort. The solution was the *Siège d'Amour*, a masterpiece of discreet, functional erotic design.
The chair was commissioned around 1890 and crafted by the prominent, yet discreet, French cabinetmaker Louis Soubrier. It was not a simple chair but a complex, brocade-covered apparatus, often described as a stacking 'bunk bed' of seats.
- Design: The chair featured three distinct seating positions. The King would be positioned in the center, often kneeling or in a semi-standing position, supported by the chair’s structure.
- Mechanism: It was a multi-tiered structure, with the King’s position allowing him access to two courtesans simultaneously. One partner would be positioned in front of him, and the other behind, with the chair’s various supports and stirrups holding their legs in place.
- Location: The chair was custom-made for the King’s private suite at the legendary Parisian *maison close* (brothel), Le Chabanais, which operated from 1878 until 1946. Edward VII was such a valued patron of Le Chabanais that he had his own designated room, complete with a copper bathtub shaped like a sphinx, which he reportedly filled with champagne.
The chair’s existence was a closely guarded secret of the Parisian demimonde, a testament to the King's desire to maintain his royal dignity while indulging his private passions. It perfectly encapsulated the sexual hypocrisy of the late Victorian and early Edwardian periods.
The Enduring Mystery: Where is the Original Siège d'Amour Now?
The ultimate fate of the original *Siège d'Amour* remains one of history’s most tantalizing mysteries. Its disappearance is tied directly to the closure of Le Chabanais. The luxurious brothel, which was famous enough to be mentioned in literary works by authors like Guy de Maupassant, was forced to close its doors in 1946 following the French outlawing of prostitution houses.
When the brothel’s contents were liquidated, the furniture and artifacts were dispersed. Historical accounts suggest the Love Chair was sold at an auction in 1951, but a definitive, confirmed, and publicly accessible location for the original piece has never been established.
However, the chair’s legend, and its design, have recently re-emerged in the public eye, proving its continued status as a hot commodity:
- The Replica Market: The enduring fascination has led to the creation of highly-priced replicas. In 2020, reports surfaced of an antique furniture dealer putting a replica of the *Siège d'Amour* up for sale.
- The Shocking Price Tag: One such replica, or a chair based on the design, was reportedly listed by MS Rau Antiques for a staggering $68,500 USD, demonstrating the high value placed on this piece of royal erotic history. Another similar listing, referencing the design, was noted on 1stDibs as recently as 2025.
- Modern Media Appearances: The chair's story has continued to captivate modern audiences, featuring in documentaries and series. It made a notable cameo in the Smithsonian Channel’s series, 'The Private Lives of Royals,' which brought the scandalous tale to a new generation of viewers.
While the original Louis Soubrier-crafted *Siège d'Amour* may be tucked away in a private collection—or perhaps even lost to history—its story is far from over. The sale of high-end reproductions and its frequent mention in historical and pop culture media serve as a constant reminder of King Edward VII's double life and the sheer extravagance of his most private pleasures. The chair is more than just a piece of furniture; it is a powerful symbol of royal indiscretion, historical ingenuity, and the enduring human fascination with power, sex, and secrets.
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