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Victorian Walnut Balloon Back Desk Chair
Sold by Antique Furniture Direct
Id #SA1185088
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Victorian Walnut Balloon Back Desk Chair

19th century
Sold 19 February 2026 · Antique Furniture Direct
This “Victorian Walnut Balloon Back Desk Chair” found a buyer.

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

Description

A beautiful antique Victorian walnut bedroom chair or desk chair, dating from circa 1860 and made by celebrated Liverpool cabinet makers Arbuthnot Blain. This stunning example has rich warm colour and superb patina and features a beautiful padded back and carved top crest. The serpentine fronted and overstuffed seat base is sat on two expertly carved front legs. The chair is sturdy with no loose joints, it has green upholstery trimmed with gold coloured braid and is in good condition. The underside of the chair has the makers stamp.

Arthur (or Arbuthnot) Blain is recorded active in Liverpool c. 1835, Arthur was established at 35 Paradise Street, Liverpool and died in 1868 and was highly regarded for his quality of craftsmanship. Born in Donegal, Ireland around 1796 his firm worked for the shipbuilders Cammell Laird and furnished the cabins for the Alabama, the fittings and furniture being selected by James Dunwoody Bulloch. The business was continued by his son William Hughes Blain, as the firm A. Blain & Sons until 1909.

Construction/Wood:

Walnut

Condition Report:

Good condition. Solid and sturdy frame. Lovely age and patina. Wear and marks commensurate with age. An old solid and well-executed mend to the top rail of the chair (see photos). Upholstery in good condition, a few small marks here and there. With makers stamp.

Dimensions:

Height: 93cm

Width: 47cm

Depth: 50cm

Height to seat: 46cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
93cm (36.61")
Width
47cm (18.50")
Depth
50cm (19.69")
Declaration

Antique Furniture Direct has dated this Victorian Walnut Balloon Back Chair to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1185088
Dealers Notes

Purchase Items on Our website: ----- www.AntiqueFurnitureDirect.co.uk ------

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+ Additional Items delivered FREE

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- www.AntiqueFurnitureDirect.co.uk

Description
A beautiful antique Victorian walnut bedroom chair or desk chair, dating from circa 1860 and made by celebrated Liverpool cabinet makers Arbuthnot Blain.
“
This stunning example has rich warm colour and superb patina and features a beautiful padded back and carved top crest.
Antique Furniture Direct

The serpentine fronted and overstuffed seat base is sat on two expertly carved front legs. The chair is sturdy with no loose joints, it has green upholstery trimmed with gold coloured braid and is in good condition. The underside of the chair has the makers stamp.

fig 1. An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery.
fig 1. Victorian Walnut Balloon Back Desk Chair

Arthur (or Arbuthnot) Blain is recorded active in Liverpool c. 1835, Arthur was established at 35 Paradise Street, Liverpool and died in 1868 and was highly regarded for his quality of craftsmanship. Born in Donegal, Ireland around 1796 his firm worked for the shipbuilders Cammell Laird and furnished the cabins for the Alabama, the fittings and furniture being selected by James Dunwoody Bulloch. The business was continued by his son William Hughes Blain, as the firm A. Blain & Sons until 1909.

fig 2. An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery.
fig 2. Victorian Walnut Balloon Back Desk Chair

Construction/Wood:

Walnut

Condition Report:

Good condition. Solid and sturdy frame. Lovely age and patina. Wear and marks commensurate with age. An old solid and well-executed mend to the top rail of the chair (see photos). Upholstery in good condition, a few small marks here and there. With makers stamp.

Dimensions:

Height: 93cm

Width: 47cm

Depth: 50cm

Height to seat: 46cm

Height
93cm (36.61")
Width
47cm (18.50")
Depth
50cm (19.69")
Date of Manufacture

Antique Furniture Direct has dated this Victorian Walnut Balloon Back Chair to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1185088
Antique Furniture Direct
Antique Furniture Direct
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2013
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Antique Furniture Direct Profile Page

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An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 13
Archive I An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Victorian Walnut Balloon Back Desk Chair

Archive II An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. View II
Archive III An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. View III
Archive IV An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. View IV
Archive V An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. View V
Archive VI An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. View VI
Archive VII An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. View VII
Archive VIII An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. View VIII
Archive IX An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. View IX
Archive X An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. View X
Archive XI An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. View XI
Archive XII An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. View XII
Archive XIII An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07528 604 958
Location
Leeds
Yorkshire
United Kingdom

By apointment only.
Verified Since Aug 2013
Items For Sale 125
Items Sold 2,997
Antique Furniture Direct
Antique Furniture Direct
Verified Since Aug 2013
View Dealer Info
Location: Leeds, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, , By apointment only.
Verified
Aug 2013
For Sale
125
Sold
2,997
An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery.
Victorian Walnut Balloon Back Desk Chair
Ref: SA1185088
An antique Victorian walnut chair featuring a carved balloon back and green velvet upholstery.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectChairs
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialWalnut, Velvet
  • ColourGreen
  • MotifsBalloon back, Carved cresting, Turned legs, Velvet upholstery
  • SizeH 93 cm (37 in) x W 47 cm (19 in) x D 50 cm (20 in)

The balloon back style originated in the mid-19th century during the Victorian era, characterised by a distinctive rounded, oval backrest that resembles the shape of a balloon, often featuring elaborate carved woodwork.

These chairs were predominantly constructed from dense hardwoods such as walnut, mahogany, or rosewood, paired with traditional joinery and upholstered using horsehair, springs, and fine textiles.

Authentic pieces typically exhibit hand-carved details, traditional mortise and tenon joinery, aged patina on the wood, and hand-stitched upholstery webbing underneath rather than modern staples.

Such seating works effectively as a statement desk chair in a study, an occasional chair in a living room, or paired with a contemporary dining table to create an eclectic mix of eras.

Maintain the wood using microcrystalline wax to nourish the finish, avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading of the velvet upholstery, and clean fabrics gently with a soft brush.
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