Can you change the fabric without ruining it?

Reupholstery is a standard part of maintaining these frames. The fabric was always meant to be replaced when it wore out, and doing so keeps the chair functional. A skilled worker will strip it back to the bare carcase, glue any loose joints, and rebuild the foundational layers. They tie new springs and lay fresh horsehair to replicate the original shape.

My grandfather gave us a big heavy one with carved wooden legs but the fabric smells dusty, so is there a way to clean it properly?

Surface dust settles deeply into the folded pleats over time. Gentle vacuuming using a soft brush attachment lifts most loose dirt out of the crevices. Professional upholstery cleaners can tackle older fabric using dry extraction methods. Wet cleaning usually leaves water marks or damages the internal canvas webbing.

Why do some have arms and others do not?

Armless nursing chairs sat lower to the ground for tending children. Frames with padded armrests served in libraries or parlours for relaxed reading.

The springs in the seat seem to be bulging out the bottom underneath the chair, do I need to get the whole thing stripped down?

Dropping springs mean the bottom webbing has failed. The tacks holding the jute web strips often rust and give way, letting the coil slip downwards. An upholsterer can sometimes repair this from below without disturbing the top fabric. They remove the base cloth, tension down new webbing, and retie the springs in place. If the internal padding has also shifted, a full strip down might be the only practical fix.

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Antique Button Back Chairs from the 19th Century

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Deeply upholstered seating featuring a grid of sunken buttons across the inside back, developed in the mid-19th century to keep heavy stuffing materials firmly locked in place while offering a softer recline.