Thrones of Desire: The Royal History and Modern Revival of Pleasure Furniture

Why Sex Deserves Better Than a Lumpy Mattress

So many couples come into my office saying sex feels rushed, uncomfortable, or like a chore. The problem is rarely desire. It’s logistics. Cluttered bedrooms, uncomfortable mattresses, kids or pets in the bed, and even that pile of laundry waiting in the corner.

Sex should feel expansive, creative, and embodied. All of these distractions make it hard to relax. And when bodies aren’t supported, sex can feel more like a strain than a joy.

That is where pleasure furniture comes in. Far from being a modern novelty, these tools have existed for centuries, helping people and partners align their bodies, relax into pleasure, and experience intimacy with less effort and more creativity. In fact, if you peek into history, you’ll see that kings, queens, and entire empires were investing in sex furniture long before we were.

A Hidden History of Pleasure Furniture

Ancient Egypt
Egyptian thrones and beds were never just for sitting or sleeping. They were ceremonial, luxurious, and often erotic. The Turin Erotic Papyrus (c. 1150 BC) depicts explicit, playful sexual scenes created for private amusement among the elite. Beds from royal tombs, like Queen Hetepheres I (c. 2620 BC), were adorned with lions and gold—symbols of fertility and passion. Sexuality was part of everyday life, often woven into ritual and art.

The Kama Sutra and Ancient Rome
The Kama Sutra (India, 2nd–4th century) describes cushions, bolsters, and props that supported erotic positions. Roman villas in Pompeii reveal couches and stools used for reclining, banquets, and intimacy alike. Furniture doubled as a stage for pleasure.

Royal Europe and Asia
Versailles beds weren’t just for sleeping. They symbolized both political power and intimate indulgence. Ottoman palaces and Chinese courts were adorned with divans and loungers designed for relaxation and social interaction.

Victorian Eroticism
The Victorians publicly preached restraint, but behind closed doors, they engaged in experimentation. Fainting couches, queening chairs, spanking benches, and even bespoke sex thrones were crafted. Many were disguised as ordinary furniture, blending erotic function with ornate design.

The Throne of Desire: Queening Chairs

The queening chair, also called a face-sitting throne, is one of the most iconic pieces of pleasure furniture. Designed with an open seat, the queening chair, sometimes called a face-sitting throne, is one of the most striking examples of erotic furniture. Designed with an open seat, it allows one partner to sit comfortably while receiving oral sex.

A red and black queening or kinging chair designed for intimacy and comfortable oral positioning.

Vintage-style wooden queening chair with padded red leather seat and central opening for facesitting.

Modern Use: Today’s versions range from velvet thrones to minimalist frames. Regardless of the style, the queen’s chair is both functional and deeply symbolic.

Symbolism: Thrones have always elevated the person seated on them. In intimacy, they symbolize empowerment, indulgence, and focus.

History: From Greco-Roman stools to Victorian curiosities, chairs built for erotic play have always carried connotations of power and pleasure.

Royal Scandal: King Edward VII’s Love Chair

One of the most infamous royal artifacts is King Edward VII’s “love chair” (siège d’amour), crafted by Parisian artisan Louis Soubrier in the late 19th century. Built for use in Paris’s elite brothel Le Chabanais, it supported Edward’s large frame while allowing him to enjoy two partners at once.

Illustration depicting the intended use of King Edward VII’s 19th-century love chair for multi-partner intimacy.

An ornate 19th-century love chair crafted for King Edward VII by Louis Soubrier for use at Le Chabanais brothel in Paris.

Plush, ornate, and ingenious, it became both a scandal and a masterpiece of erotic design. Today, replicas and museum displays keep its decadent story alive.

Why Pleasure Furniture Still Matters Today

We invest in ergonomic office chairs and high-quality mattresses. Why not furniture that supports pleasure activities?

Modern pleasure furniture:

Reduces strain on joints and muscles
Expands positioning options comfortably
Supports people with pain or mobility challenges
Signals that the bedroom is a space for intimacy, not just clutter

Investing in pleasure furniture is investing in intimacy itself.

A black leather sling from Stockroom.com, suspended by chains for supported positioning and body exploration.

A padded black spanking bench from Stockroom.com, with metal legs designed for comfort, restraint, and supported positioning.

The Broader Lineage of Pleasure Furniture

Sex Swings
Suspended sex has deep roots. Ancient depictions suggest swings used for both ritual and erotic play. Today, sex swings (door swings, ceiling rigs, freestanding frames) let couples explore new angles with less strain. They offer novelty, support, and playful freedom.

Spanking Benches
In Victorian underground clubs, custom “discipline benches” appeared, padded for comfort but designed for erotic play. Their lineage connects to today’s spanking benches: sturdy, cushioned platforms for safe power exchange, blending restraint and support.

Tantra Chairs and S-Shaped Lounges
These sculpted chaise lounges are modern descendants of fainting couches and swooping divans. Their curves support the spine, hips, and pelvis, allowing deeper angles and more sustained intimacy. They are as beautiful as they are functional, often doubling as stylish furniture in the home.

A soft, sculpted Tabu Pillow “The Prim” designed for intimate comfort and support on a bed.

Top Five Modern Essentials

1. Splash Blanket™ (Waterproof Throw or Fitted Sheet)
Historically, ornate bedding in royal chambers was protected by drapes or linens. Today, Splash Blankets make that tradition practical. These waterproof, machine-washable blankets and sheets protect beds while inviting couples to relax, play, and not worry about the mess.

2. Tabu Pillow (“The Prim”)
A discreet positioning pillow that looks like home decor but functions as an intimacy wedge. Think of it as the modern version of the cushions and fainting couches Victorians used to recline and indulge.

3. Whipsmart Try-Angle Cushion
This angled foam support is today’s ergonomic cousin of chaise lounges and reclining chairs. It lifts, supports, and aligns bodies for deeper access and less strain.

4. Sportsheets Bondage Bed Sheet System
Inspired by royal and Ottoman courts where restraint was both ritual and play, this bedsheet anchors with Velcro pads, allowing safe and comfortable restraint without heavy equipment.

5. Queening Chair
The throne of intimacy. Whether styled as a medieval seat or a modern minimalist frame, queening chairs symbolize empowerment, comfort, and a direct link to the heritage of kings and queens who designed their chambers for both beauty and pleasure.

Bringing Pleasure Back Into the Bedroom

You don’t need to fill your bedroom with an entire castle’s worth of furniture. Start with one or two beginner-friendly pieces. A waterproof blanket can transform the experience of relaxing into play. A wedge or pillow can unlock angles and positions that feel better for both partners. And for those who want something bold, a queening chair or chaise can become the centerpiece of a pleasure-positive bedroom.

Ready to Explore?

If this history excites you, experience it firsthand:

Browse Sportsheets for pleasure furniture, swings, blankets, and positioning tools.
Visit Hidden Honey Homes to try pleasure furniture in person and reimagine what your bedroom could feel like.

Your body deserves support. Your intimacy deserves intention. And your pleasure deserves the royal treatment.