Antique Style Easy Chairs
Antique style easy chairs bring deep seats and period character into a room, offering a comfortable place to sit that holds visual weight.
Antique Style Easy Chairs
Antique style easy chairs span armchairs, slipper chairs, and club chairs shaped across the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These seats draw on Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco design, alongside revivals of Georgian, Queen Anne, and Chippendale forms.
The most common examples on this page follow nineteenth century and Victorian standards, frequently taking the form of deep seated country house armchairs or wing chairs. Walnut and mahogany frames appear alongside upholstered bodies finished in calico, hessian, fabric, and velvet.
Gradations in execution
Quality rests on the integrity of the wooden frame and the precision of the joinery, whether dealing with carved mahogany or bentwood. Timber selection and the depth of hand-carved detailing separate standard workshop output from finer pieces.
Upholstery foundations dictate the longevity of the seat, distinguishing simple recovering jobs from expert internal restoration that preserves original proportions and support.
Slipper chairs sit lower to the ground because nineteenth century occupants needed to reach their ankles without tumbling out of luxury.
Howard and Sons·Whytock and Reid·SF Cullen·Heals·Gillows·Robert Strahan Dublin
The Antique Style Easy Chairs Glossary
- Bergere
- An enclosed upholstered armchair with wooden frames and cane side panels. This form originates in France and often utilises walnut.
- Wing chair
- An armchair featuring side panels attached to the back to deflect drafts. These chairs frequently stand on mahogany or walnut legs.
- Club chair
- A deep seated comfortable armchair traditionally upholstered in leather. These pieces became prominent during the Art Deco period.
- Slipper chair
- A low seated bedroom chair designed without arms to ease the process of putting on shoes. They frequently feature decorative fringe.
- Calico
- A plain woven textile often used as an interim upholstery cover before a top layer of velvet or fabric is applied.
Antique Style Easy Chairs: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an easy chair?
An easy chair is a large, comfortable upholstered seat designed for relaxation rather than formal posture. These pieces typically feature deep seats and padded arms.
Versions range from nineteenth century country house models to compact slipper chairs and club chairs.
How do I identify a Howard style chair?
Howard style chairs are characterised by low scrolled arms, deep sprung seats, and short turned wooden legs on castors. They prioritise deep comfort over rigid structure.
Original makers and followers built these chairs with generous proportions suited for country houses.
Where do wing chairs work best?
Wing chairs suit living rooms, studies, and firesides where the high back and side wings provide shelter and presence. Their traditional proportions anchor large corners.
Pairing two matching wing chairs creates a balanced seating arrangement opposite a sofa.
How do I care for leather club chairs?
Leather club chairs require regular dusting with a soft cloth and occasional conditioning to prevent the hide from drying out. Keeping them away from direct heat sources protects the finish.
Natural patina develops over time through daily use and gentle maintenance.