Why is it called a Gainsborough chair?

The name was applied later by the trade rather than by the people who made the chairs. It describes a form, not a workshop or a designer. Listings on Sellingantiques use it alongside "library chair" and "desk chair" for the same open-arm upholstered model.

What wood are they usually made from?

Mahogany, in just over half the titles recorded. It is close to a defining feature of the form. Walnut is a distinct minority. Beyond those two, the archive throws up single chairs in elm, solid yew and giltwood, plus one described as Cuban mahogany.

How old are most of these chairs?

The dealer-supplied dates run from 1750 to 1930, and the spread is two-humped. One group is 18th-century and Georgian, the other early 20th-century, with 19th-century chairs sitting between them. Only some listings carry a clean year. The rest use period labels such as "18th Century", "Georgian" or "George III", which are broader than a date.

Do they come in pairs?

Often. Around a fifth of the listings are pairs rather than single chairs, and pairs sit noticeably higher in the range. Larger groups are scarce. The archive holds one set of four George II armchairs and one set of ten Edwardian leather chairs described as carvers.

What does Georgian style mean in a title?

It signals the model rather than the date. Titles reading "Georgian style", "George II style" or "Gainsborough style" cluster with the 1900s to 1930s chairs. These revival copies follow the 18th-century shape closely and hold the lower end of the range.

Are wing and armless versions sold under this name?

Yes, though rarely. A pair of Gainsborough wing arm chairs and a set of George III Gainsborough side chairs both appear. It shows how loosely the trade name gets applied to related upholstered forms.

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Antique Gainsborough Chairs

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An upholstered open-arm library or desk chair on a show-wood frame, made to be sat in for long spells at a writing table.

18th century

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A Mid 18th Century Mahogany Open Armchair

From John Beazor Antiques

£4,850

FOR SALE

chairs

19th century

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Antique 19th Century Pair of Chippendale Revival Gainsborough Library Armchairs

From Patrick Sandberg Antiques

£16,000

FOR SALE

chairs

Late C19th Large Carved Mahogany Gainsborough Chair

1900 - 1920

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Late C19th Large Carved Mahogany Gainsborough Chair

From Gary Wright Antiques Ltd

£4,250

FOR SALE

chairs

1900 - 1920

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A Pair of Early 20th Century Walnut Gainsborough Armchairs

From Chequers Antiques

£2,450

FOR SALE

chairs

18th century

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Gainsborough Upholstered Open Armchair

From Midwinter Antiques

£1,600

FOR SALE

chairs

A George II Style Mahogany Gainsborough/library Arm Chair

19th century

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A George II Style Mahogany Gainsborough/library Arm Chair

From W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.

£3,250

FOR SALE

chairs

1900 - 1920

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Georgian Style Leather Gainsborough Library Chairs

From Shackladys Antiques

£1,595

FOR SALE

chairs

Antique George III Period Mahogany Gainsborough Library Armchair

18th century

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Antique George III Period Mahogany Gainsborough Library Armchair

From Patrick Sandberg Antiques

£5,800

FOR SALE

chairs

1900 - 1920

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8 Howard & Son's Stamped Circa 1900 Brown Leather Carver Gainsborough Armchairs

From Royal House Antiques

£25,000

FOR SALE

chairs

19th century

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Antique Rare Design Mahogany 19th Century Gainsborough Open Elbow Upholstered Library Reading Armchair. C.1880.

From CJ Antiques

£3,500

FOR SALE

chairs

The name is applied loosely. Among the entries are a pair of Gainsborough wing arm chairs and a set of George III Gainsborough side chairs, which have no arms.

Antique Regency Georgian Mahogany Framed Leather Upholstered Library Reading Easy Occasional Club Tub Gillows Design Gainsborough Armchair Chair.

19th century

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Antique Regency Georgian Mahogany Framed Leather Upholstered Library Reading Easy Occasional Club Tub Gillows Design Gainsborough Armchair Chair.

From CJ Antiques

£2,000

FOR SALE

chairs

George 11 Style Mahogany Gainsborough Arm Chair

19th century

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George 11 Style Mahogany Gainsborough Arm Chair

From Patrick Moorhead Antiques

£6,800

FOR SALE

chairs

19th century

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Fabulous Pair of Large Giltwood Gainsborough French Salon Armchairs 19th Century Gilt Hepplewhite Arm Chairs Fauteuils

From CJ Antiques

£4,975

FOR SALE

chairs

Antique George III Period Carved Mahogany Armchair

18th century

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Antique George III Period Carved Mahogany Armchair

From Patrick Sandberg Antiques

£4,800

FOR SALE

chairs

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Antique Gainsborough Chairs

A Mid 18th Century Mahogany Open Armchair

Antique 19th Century Pair of Chippendale Revival Gainsborough Library Armchairs

Late C19th Large Carved Mahogany Gainsborough Chair

A Pair of Early 20th Century Walnut Gainsborough Armchairs

Gainsborough Upholstered Open Armchair

A George II Style Mahogany Gainsborough/library Arm Chair

Georgian Style Leather Gainsborough Library Chairs

Antique George III Period Mahogany Gainsborough Library Armchair

8 Howard & Son's Stamped Circa 1900 Brown Leather Carver Gainsborough Armchairs

Antique Rare Design Mahogany 19th Century Gainsborough Open Elbow Upholstered Library Reading Armchair. C.1880.

Antique Regency Georgian Mahogany Framed Leather Upholstered Library Reading Easy Occasional Club Tub Gillows Design Gainsborough Armchair Chair.

George 11 Style Mahogany Gainsborough Arm Chair

Fabulous Pair of Large Giltwood Gainsborough French Salon Armchairs 19th Century Gilt Hepplewhite Arm Chairs Fauteuils

Antique George III Period Carved Mahogany Armchair

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