What is the historical origin of the captains desk chair?

Captains chairs originated in the 18th and 19th centuries, designed as sturdy, comfortable seating for ship captains, libraries, and executive offices.

What traditional materials and construction methods are used in 19th-century desk chairs?

These pieces typically feature solid hardwood frames, such as mahogany or oak, upholstered in genuine leather with hand-tufted buttoning and brass tack detailing.

How can one identify an authentic antique captains chair?

Authenticity is determined by inspecting the timber grain, hand-cut joinery, type of leather patina, and traditional stuffing materials such as horsehair.

How do you style an antique leather desk chair in a contemporary interior?

Pair the chair with a minimalist modern writing desk to create a striking contrast between old-world craftsmanship and contemporary clean lines.

What is the proper method for cleaning and preserving antique leather upholstery?

Maintain antique leather by regularly dusting with a soft cloth and applying a specialist leather conditioner to prevent drying and cracking.

sold SA1138764

Sorry, but this item has been sold.

Gilt and Gesso

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2023

Browse dealers 72 items

Id #SA1138764

PDF

SAVE

A 19thc Original Buttoned Red Captains Library Desk Chair, Newly Refurbished

Name: A 19thc Original Buttoned Red Captains Library Desk Chair, Newly Refurbished
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1138764
Price: 475 GBP
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by Gilt and Gesso

Sold 13 August 2025 · Gilt and Gesso

This “19thc Original Buttoned Red Captains Library Desk Chair, Newly Refurbished” found a buyer.

It was listed by Gilt and Gesso. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Find more for sale

Executive Office Chair Mahogany Library Desk Chair Period Library Seating Ask the dealer for something similar

Description

A 19th Century Original Buttoned Red Leather and Oak Frame Captains or Library Desk Chair.

Just back from gentle conservation with nourished and repaired leather seat, newly fitted and period correct front castors, newly fitted hessian to the underside and even wax polish to the oak frame.

A superb English mid to late 19th century, buttoned leather with barley twist oak supports, captains chair, library reading or desk chair with country house proportions and original, timeworn leather upholstery.

A handsome reading or library chair presented with its original ox blood red, sang de boeuf button studded leather which displays an elegant aged appearance whilst intact, a fine grade of leather which has aged gracefully.

An enchanting country house chair with a wide and deep seat, supported upon barley twist, oak supports.

We are offering this splendid reading chair in its elegant and gently conserved condition, it does show age and wear which we consider its authenticity and character.

The chair is both structurally and aesthetically excellent.

Dimensions

Height 76cm

Width 66cm

Depth 64cm

A spectacular chair of both function and form, a striking country house aesthetic of considerable appeal that can enhance a classic or contemporary space.

Please request more photos and any questions invited.

Free collection from Lewes, East Sussex.

U.K. delivery available.

We operate a weekly delivery service into London and surrounding areas of the M25 for only £40 plus any relevant congestion charges, please enquire.

We can provide the whole of U.K. weekly delivery at £70 please enquire for Scotland prices.

Date of Manufacture

Gilt and Gesso has dated this Red Leather Captains Chair to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions

Height

76cm (29.92")

Width

66cm (25.98")

Depth

64cm (25.20")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1138764

Description

A 19th Century Original Buttoned Red Leather and Oak Frame Captains or Library Desk Chair.

“

Just back from gentle conservation with nourished and repaired leather seat, newly fitted and period correct front castors, newly fitted hessian to the underside and even wax polish to the oak frame.

Gilt and Gesso

fig 1. A 19th-century red leather captains library desk chair featuring button tufting and barley twist wooden legs with castors. — fig 1. A 19thc Original Buttoned Red Captains Library Desk Chair, Newly Refurbished

A superb English mid to late 19th century, buttoned leather with barley twist oak supports, captains chair, library reading or desk chair with country house proportions and original, timeworn leather upholstery.

fig 2. A 19th-century red leather captains library desk chair featuring button tufting and barley twist wooden legs with castors. — fig 2. A 19thc Original Buttoned Red Captains Library Desk Chair, Newly Refurbished

A handsome reading or library chair presented with its original ox blood red, sang de boeuf button studded leather which displays an elegant aged appearance whilst intact, a fine grade of leather which has aged gracefully.

fig 3. A 19th-century red leather captains library desk chair featuring button tufting and barley twist wooden legs with castors. — fig 3. A 19thc Original Buttoned Red Captains Library Desk Chair, Newly Refurbished

An enchanting country house chair with a wide and deep seat, supported upon barley twist, oak supports.

We are offering this splendid reading chair in its elegant and gently conserved condition, it does show age and wear which we consider its authenticity and character.

fig 4. A 19th-century red leather captains library desk chair featuring button tufting and barley twist wooden legs with castors. — fig 4. A 19thc Original Buttoned Red Captains Library Desk Chair, Newly Refurbished

The chair is both structurally and aesthetically excellent.

Dimensions

Height 76cm

Width 66cm

Depth 64cm

A spectacular chair of both function and form, a striking country house aesthetic of considerable appeal that can enhance a classic or contemporary space.

fig 5. A 19th-century red leather captains library desk chair featuring button tufting and barley twist wooden legs with castors. — fig 5. A 19thc Original Buttoned Red Captains Library Desk Chair, Newly Refurbished

Please request more photos and any questions invited.

Free collection from Lewes, East Sussex.

U.K. delivery available.

We operate a weekly delivery service into London and surrounding areas of the M25 for only £40 plus any relevant congestion charges, please enquire.

We can provide the whole of U.K. weekly delivery at £70 please enquire for Scotland prices.

Date of Manufacture

Gilt and Gesso has dated this Red Leather Captains Chair to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions

Height

76cm (29.92")

Width

66cm (25.98")

Depth

64cm (25.20")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1138764

About the Dealer

Gilt and Gesso

Sellingantiques verified Since May 2023

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gilt and Gesso Profile Page

PDF

SAVE

A 19th-century red leather captains library desk chair featuring button tufting and barley twist wooden legs with castors.

1 / 8

Archive I

A 19thc Original Buttoned Red Captains Library Desk Chair, Newly Refurbished

Archive II

A 19th-century red leather captains library desk chair featuring button tufting and barley twist wooden legs with castors. View II

Archive III

A 19th-century red leather captains library desk chair featuring button tufting and barley twist wooden legs with castors. View III

Archive IV

A 19th-century red leather captains library desk chair featuring button tufting and barley twist wooden legs with castors. View IV

Archive V

A 19th-century red leather captains library desk chair featuring button tufting and barley twist wooden legs with castors. View V

Archive VI

A 19th-century red leather captains library desk chair featuring button tufting and barley twist wooden legs with castors. View VI

Archive VII

A 19th-century red leather captains library desk chair featuring button tufting and barley twist wooden legs with castors. View VII

Archive VIII

Gilt and Gesso

A 19thc Original Buttoned Red Captains Library Desk Chair, Newly Refurbished

Gilt and Gesso

Email Gilt and Gesso

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

The Sustainable Choice

Cataloguer’s note

FAQs

Add keywords to the filter

Price

Era

Period

Style

Material

Origin

Stock Location

Recently Added

Online Payments

Categories