What defines a Gainsborough chair design?

A Gainsborough chair is a broad, high-backed open armchair originating in 18th-century Britain. Named after painter Thomas Gainsborough due to its presence in his portraits, the style is characterised by upholstered backrests and seats, exposed carved timber arm supports, and open sides.

What traditional materials are used in Georgian seating?

Georgian armchairs traditionally utilise dense, solid mahogany for the frame due to its carveability and rich grain. Upholstery historically comprised natural horsehair and wool padding covered in hand-dyed cattle hide, secured using hand-tacked brass studs along the frame lines.

How do you identify an authentic 18th-century Gainsborough chair?

Authentic period examples exhibit hand-carved details such as blind fretwork or acanthus leaves on mahogany legs and arm supports. Look for signs of hand-planed frame timber, original brass tack marks, irregular joint pegging, and genuine age patination on exposed timber surfaces.

How can a Gainsborough armchair be integrated into modern interior design?

This seating design acts as a grounding focal point in contemporary studies, living rooms, or reading nooks. Pairing patinated leather and dark mahogany with neutral walls, minimalist lighting, or modern artwork creates a balanced contrast between historic craftsmanship and modern aesthetics.

How should hand-dyed leather and mahogany furniture be maintained?

Maintain the leather by regularly dusting with a soft cloth and applying a specialist wax-based leather conditioner annually to prevent drying. Preserve the mahogany frame by keeping it away from direct heat sources and applying a neutral beeswax polish along the grain.

for sale €3,335 $3,620

£2,850

Hingstons of Wilton

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2010

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Hand Dyed Leather Chair

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Id #SA1227648

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Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

18th century

For Sale by Hingstons of Wilton

Description

Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-Dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

A handsome and generously proportioned Georgian Gainsborough armchair, crafted in rich mahogany and retaining all the elegance associated with late 18th-century English design. This impressive chair features finely carved open arms, decorative carved brackets above the front legs, and beautifully executed Chippendale blind carving to the front legs, reflecting the exceptional craftsmanship of the period.

The chair stands on elegant swept back legs, giving it a refined and balanced profile. It has been upholstered in finest hand-dyed English hide leather, finished with traditional hand-applied brass studding that complements the warm mahogany frame beautifully.

With its generous proportions and comfortable seat, this Gainsborough chair is equally suited as a statement library chair, study chair, hall chair, or occasional chair in both period and contemporary interiors.

A superb example of Georgian furniture combining comfort, quality, and timeless English craftsmanship.

________________________________________

Key Features

• Genuine Georgian Gainsborough armchair

• Crafted in solid mahogany

• Generous, comfortable proportions

• Fine carved mahogany arms

• Decorative carved brackets above the front legs

• Chippendale blind carving to the front legs

• Elegant swept back rear legs

• Upholstered in premium hand-dyed English hide leather

• Traditional hand-applied brass stud detailing

• Rich warm patina throughout

• Ideal for a library, study, drawing room or entrance hall

• Excellent quality English antique furniture

________________________________________

Dimensions

• Overall Width: 77 cm (30 in)

• Overall Depth: 74 cm (29 in)

• Overall Height: 103 cm (40½ in)

• Seat Width: 62 cm (24¼ in)

• Seat Depth: 59 cm (23¼ in)

“There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man’s lawful prey.”

• Delivery

• UK mainland FREE Other destinations please contact us, and we will get a quote. We use a professional Removal company to transport our precious items and do not entrust them to usual parcel services. Therefore, delivery may be 7 -10 days, but it is worth the wait of course.

This Georgian Gainsborough armchair is a green product and have not affected the environment we live in.

• We spend time choosing the best product, an antique item that must meet the strict criteria to be placed in Hingstons of Wilton stock.

• Guarantee

This Georgian Gainsborough armchair carries the Hingstons Antiques product guarantee plate which gives you the peace of mind that any item with this plate, is of the quality and condition expected when purchasing from Hingstons Antiques Limited. All our goods are individually selected by Nick Hingston who uses his experience of over 45 years of trading to select the items with the best design and condition suitable to be placed into our quality stock.

• PRICE MATCHING

• Antiques are unique, and it is impossible to price match in the normal way. Please consider the quality of product, and the care taken in our restoration, before deciding if you are looking at price comparison.

• We spend time choosing the best product, an antique item that must meet the strict criteria to be placed in Hingstons of Wilton stock.

• Hingstons Distance selling policy.

• Purchases from Hingstons Antiques Ltd give all buyers the right to cancel the purchase within 14 working days after receipt of the item, for a full refund less transport costs, on condition it is returned in the condition it was sent.

• Payment- We can accept payment by bank transfer, card transaction by phone, or cheque in store for UK customers, please contact us if you are an overseas customer.

• Items remain on sale until payment is received.

Physical Dimensions

Height

103cm (40.55")

Width

77cm (30.31")

Depth

74cm (29.13")

Declaration

Hingstons of Wilton has dated this Georgian Gainsborough Leather Armchair to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1227648

Dealers Notes

PRICE MATCHING

Antiques are unique and it is impossible to price match in the normal way. Please take into account the quality of product, and the care taken in our restoration, before making a decision if you are looking at price comparison.

When you choose to purchase an item from Hingstons, you will be purchasing a piece that will enhance your home.

We spend time choosing the best product, an antique that has to meet the criteria to be placed in Hingstons of Wilton stock.

Beware of cheaper imitations.

DISTANCE SELLING REGULATIONS

Purchases from Hingstons Antiques Ltd are covered under the Distance Selling Regulations, which give all buyers the right to cancel the purchase within 7 working days after receipt of the item, for a full refund less RETURN transport costs.

Description

Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-Dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

“

A handsome and generously proportioned Georgian Gainsborough armchair, crafted in rich mahogany and retaining all the elegance associated with late 18th-century English design.

Hingstons of Wilton

This impressive chair features finely carved open arms, decorative carved brackets above the front legs, and beautifully executed Chippendale blind carving to the front legs, reflecting the exceptional craftsmanship of the period.

fig 1. A Georgian style Gainsborough armchair upholstered in warm tan leather with brass stud detailing and carved mahogany legs. — fig 1. Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

The chair stands on elegant swept back legs, giving it a refined and balanced profile. It has been upholstered in finest hand-dyed English hide leather, finished with traditional hand-applied brass studding that complements the warm mahogany frame beautifully.

fig 2. A Georgian style Gainsborough armchair upholstered in warm tan leather with brass stud detailing and carved mahogany legs. — fig 2. Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

With its generous proportions and comfortable seat, this Gainsborough chair is equally suited as a statement library chair, study chair, hall chair, or occasional chair in both period and contemporary interiors.

fig 3. A Georgian style Gainsborough armchair upholstered in warm tan leather with brass stud detailing and carved mahogany legs. — fig 3. Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

A superb example of Georgian furniture combining comfort, quality, and timeless English craftsmanship.

________________________________________

Key Features

• Genuine Georgian Gainsborough armchair

• Crafted in solid mahogany

fig 4. A Georgian style Gainsborough armchair upholstered in warm tan leather with brass stud detailing and carved mahogany legs. — fig 4. Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

• Generous, comfortable proportions

• Fine carved mahogany arms

• Decorative carved brackets above the front legs

• Chippendale blind carving to the front legs

• Elegant swept back rear legs

• Upholstered in premium hand-dyed English hide leather

fig 5. A Georgian style Gainsborough armchair upholstered in warm tan leather with brass stud detailing and carved mahogany legs. — fig 5. Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

• Traditional hand-applied brass stud detailing

• Rich warm patina throughout

• Ideal for a library, study, drawing room or entrance hall

• Excellent quality English antique furniture

________________________________________

fig 6. A Georgian style Gainsborough armchair upholstered in warm tan leather with brass stud detailing and carved mahogany legs. — fig 6. Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

Dimensions

• Overall Width: 77 cm (30 in)

• Overall Depth: 74 cm (29 in)

• Overall Height: 103 cm (40½ in)

• Seat Width: 62 cm (24¼ in)

• Seat Depth: 59 cm (23¼ in)

“There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man’s lawful prey.”

fig 7. A Georgian style Gainsborough armchair upholstered in warm tan leather with brass stud detailing and carved mahogany legs. — fig 7. Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

• Delivery

• UK mainland FREE Other destinations please contact us, and we will get a quote. We use a professional Removal company to transport our precious items and do not entrust them to usual parcel services. Therefore, delivery may be 7 -10 days, but it is worth the wait of course.

fig 8. A Georgian style Gainsborough armchair upholstered in warm tan leather with brass stud detailing and carved mahogany legs. — fig 8. Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

This Georgian Gainsborough armchair is a green product and have not affected the environment we live in.

• We spend time choosing the best product, an antique item that must meet the strict criteria to be placed in Hingstons of Wilton stock.

fig 9. A Georgian style Gainsborough armchair upholstered in warm tan leather with brass stud detailing and carved mahogany legs. — fig 9. Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

• Guarantee

This Georgian Gainsborough armchair carries the Hingstons Antiques product guarantee plate which gives you the peace of mind that any item with this plate, is of the quality and condition expected when purchasing from Hingstons Antiques Limited. All our goods are individually selected by Nick Hingston who uses his experience of over 45 years of trading to select the items with the best design and condition suitable to be placed into our quality stock.

fig 10. A Georgian style Gainsborough armchair upholstered in warm tan leather with brass stud detailing and carved mahogany legs. — fig 10. Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

• PRICE MATCHING

• Antiques are unique, and it is impossible to price match in the normal way. Please consider the quality of product, and the care taken in our restoration, before deciding if you are looking at price comparison.

fig 11. A Georgian style Gainsborough armchair upholstered in warm tan leather with brass stud detailing and carved mahogany legs. — fig 11. Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

• We spend time choosing the best product, an antique item that must meet the strict criteria to be placed in Hingstons of Wilton stock.

• Hingstons Distance selling policy.

• Purchases from Hingstons Antiques Ltd give all buyers the right to cancel the purchase within 14 working days after receipt of the item, for a full refund less transport costs, on condition it is returned in the condition it was sent.

fig 12. A Georgian style Gainsborough armchair upholstered in warm tan leather with brass stud detailing and carved mahogany legs. — fig 12. Large Georgian Gainsborough Armchair in Hand-dyed English Hide Leather – Mahogany with Chippendale Blind Carving

• Payment- We can accept payment by bank transfer, card transaction by phone, or cheque in store for UK customers, please contact us if you are an overseas customer.

• Items remain on sale until payment is received.