What is a smokers bow Windsor chair?

A smokers bow chair, also known as a Captains chair, is a low-backed Windsor armchair featuring a continuous curved steam-bent arm rail supported by turned spindles, originating in 19th-century Britain for use in offices, clubs, and homes.

What materials were traditionally used to make Victorian smokers bow chairs?

These chairs were typically constructed using a combination of English hardwoods, featuring solid elm or ash shaped seats, steam-bent beech arm rails, and turned oak, ash, or beech legs and spindles.

How do you identify authentic 19th-century smokers bow chairs?

Authentic 19th-century examples display hand-turned spindles, natural wear patterns on the stretcher rails and armrests, wedge-tenon joinery on the seat underside, and smooth timber patination from years of handling.

How can smokers bow chairs be styled in modern interiors?

A set of smokers bow chairs adds historic texture when paired with a contemporary oak dining table, or can be placed individually as an accent desk chair in a home study.

How should antique wooden Windsor chairs be cleaned and maintained?

Dust regularly with a dry microfibre cloth and apply a clear beeswax polish twice a year to nourish the timber and protect the original finish, avoiding silicone sprays or harsh chemical cleaners.

for sale €3,101 $3,366

£2,650

LVS Decorative Arts

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2011

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Trade Associations

LVS Decorative Arts is a registered member of LAPADA CINOA

Relevant Links

Oak Smokers Bow Chair

Antique Country Elbow Chairs

Victorian Smokers Bow Chairs

Carved Wooden Captains Chair

Id #SA1224394

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Six Mid 19th Century Smokers Bow Windsor or Captain’s Chairs

Name: Six Mid 19th Century Smokers Bow Windsor or Captain’s Chairs
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1224394
Price: 2650 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by LVS Decorative Arts

Description

Six mid 19th century (circa 1870) smokers bow Windsor or Captain’s chairs of superb patina.

These six chairs consist of a pair of birch chairs and four additional chairs of ash, elm and beech, matched together to form a set of six.

The chairs each consist of a deep, shaped back support leading down to broad arms, similar to those found on a broad-armed Windsor chair, leading down to eight turned spindle supports joining the arms to the seat.

This leads down to a deep, solid dished seat, this being elm on the four chairs and birch on the two birch chairs supported by turned legs with vase-shaped feet, the legs supported by double H-form turned stretchers.

This style of chair was known as a smokers bow chair, office chair or Captain's chair and are possibly one of the most comfortable wooden seated chairs due to their design. They were often found in offices, men's clubs and pubs due to their robust structure and were produced in many areas in England.

Many of these type of chairs were produced in the mid to latter part of the 19th century although evidence shows that they started producing this design from 1849.

This matched set of chairs are all in very good condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home.

Please note: we will also be listing the pair of birch chairs and the four chairs as separate listings.

Minimum – maximum sizes of chairs:

Height: 30.5'' - 31.75'' / 77.5cm - 80.5cm

Width: 25'' - 26'' / 63.5cm - 66cm

Depth: 20'' - 22'' / 50.75cm - 56cm

Seat height: 17.5'' - 18'' / 44.5cm - 45.75cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

80.5cm (31.69")

Width

66cm (25.98")

Depth

56cm (22.05")

Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated these Smokers Bow Windsor Chairs to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1224394

Dealers Internal Reference

LVS1493

Dealers Notes

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LVS Decorative Arts is a small family run business based in Suffolk, specialising in an eclectic mix of fine quality and decorative antiques from around the world.

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LAPADA & CINOA member

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All furniture is professionally restored to the highest of standards, using traditional methods, we feel that quality restoration is paramount to the longevity of the piece.

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INSURED DELIVERY INCLUDED IN LIST PRICE WITHIN MAINLAND UK FOR A ONE MAN COURIER SERVICE

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Worldwide shipping available, please contact us for a free quote to include professional packing and fully insured services

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PLEASE NOTE: viewing is 'By Appointment' only - please contact Liza a few days in advance to arrange this.

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Payments are accepted by bank transfer or cheque

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Please contact us if any further high definition photographs are required or please visit our own website as follows where you can zoom in on the photos:

www.lvsdecorativearts.co.uk

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You can contact Liza either by email lvsdecorativearts@btinternet.com or telephone 07703306451

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Please bear in mind: antique items for sale may have some wear and marks commensurate with their age which adds to the character of the piece.

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Thank you for viewing our stock and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.

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Description

Six mid 19th century (circa 1870) smokers bow Windsor or Captain’s chairs of superb patina.

“

These six chairs consist of a pair of birch chairs and four additional chairs of ash, elm and beech, matched together to form a set of six.

LVS Decorative Arts

fig 1. A set of six mid 19th century wooden smokers bow Windsor chairs with curved crest rails, turned spindles, shaped seats, and turned legs with stretchers. — fig 1. Six Mid 19th Century Smokers Bow Windsor or Captain’s Chairs

The chairs each consist of a deep, shaped back support leading down to broad arms, similar to those found on a broad-armed Windsor chair, leading down to eight turned spindle supports joining the arms to the seat.

fig 2. A set of six mid 19th century wooden smokers bow Windsor chairs with curved crest rails, turned spindles, shaped seats, and turned legs with stretchers. — fig 2. Six Mid 19th Century Smokers Bow Windsor or Captain’s Chairs

This leads down to a deep, solid dished seat, this being elm on the four chairs and birch on the two birch chairs supported by turned legs with vase-shaped feet, the legs supported by double H-form turned stretchers.

fig 3. A set of six mid 19th century wooden smokers bow Windsor chairs with curved crest rails, turned spindles, shaped seats, and turned legs with stretchers. — fig 3. Six Mid 19th Century Smokers Bow Windsor or Captain’s Chairs

This style of chair was known as a smokers bow chair, office chair or Captain's chair and are possibly one of the most comfortable wooden seated chairs due to their design. They were often found in offices, men's clubs and pubs due to their robust structure and were produced in many areas in England.

fig 4. A set of six mid 19th century wooden smokers bow Windsor chairs with curved crest rails, turned spindles, shaped seats, and turned legs with stretchers. — fig 4. Six Mid 19th Century Smokers Bow Windsor or Captain’s Chairs

Many of these type of chairs were produced in the mid to latter part of the 19th century although evidence shows that they started producing this design from 1849.

This matched set of chairs are all in very good condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home.