Abstract: A reclining chair is provided comprising a seat (2) comprised of a rigid supporting shell (7), a back rest (3) freely displaceable in orientation in relation to said seat (2), a rigid seat support (18,9) including at a forward end of the seat a stationary pivot axis (8) where said rigid supporting shell (7) is attached to said rigid seat support (18,9) and about which pivot axis said seat can pivot rearwardly into a reclining position, at least one back stay bar (11), one end (12) of said back stay bar being fixed to said seat support (18,9), and an opposing end (16) of said back stay bar being connected to said back rest (3), and said seat shell (7) including a slide bearing (20), a portion of said back stay (11) being slidably supported on said slide bearing (20), said slide bearing providing positive guidance between the seat shell and the back stay such that when said seat shell reclines over an angle .beta. the back rest reclines over an angle .alpha. which is substantially greater than angle .beta..