Antique Velvet Easy Chair
An antique velvet easy chair brings heavy timber frames and deep pile upholstery together for genuine comfort.
Antique Velvet Easy Chair
An antique velvet easy chair is a seat built for comfort, appearing across Victorian, Edwardian, and Georgian periods in various forms.
You will most commonly meet Victorian and 19th Century examples upholstered in velvet, alongside wingback and club chair shapes.
The selections span from open armchairs in oak and mahogany to large tub chairs and French Napoleon III designs.
How they were made
Maker workshops utilised hardwoods such as mahogany, walnut, and oak for sturdy frames, often adding brass castors or detailing.
Upholsterers applied velvet over supportive springs and stuffing, finishing edges with stud work or traditional buttoning.
Some chairs arrived from the workshop needing total reupholstery, awaiting a fresh layer of velvet.
What varies in quality
The distinction rests in the harmony of the timber frame and the depth of the upholstery work.
Execution by notable makers like Gillows or Howard and Sons elevates a piece far above standard workshop production.
Gillows·Howard and Sons·Hampton and sons·Shoolbred
The Antique Velvet Easy Chair Glossary
- Wingback
- An armchair with side panels designed to shield the sitter from draughts. These panels extend upward from the arms.
- Tub chair
- A curved armchair where the back and arms form a continuous semi-circular rail. The shape wraps around the sitter.
- Open armchair
- A seat with un-upholstered wooden sides and arms. The exposed timber frame remains visible.
- Parcel gilt
- Woodwork partially decorated with gold leaf. This technique highlights carved details on the frame.
Antique Velvet Easy Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an antique velvet easy chair?
An antique velvet easy chair is a historic upholstered seat designed for comfort, featuring a textile pile surface over a timber frame.
These pieces range from Victorian button-back designs to Georgian wing chairs.
How were these armchairs used?
They served as principal seating in libraries, drawing rooms, and country house parlours for reading and resting.
Their deep proportions and high backs offered protection from cold draughts in large rooms.
How do I live with one?
Place the chair away from direct sunlight to protect the pile and colour of the velvet from fading.
Pair the substantial timber frame with neutral surroundings to let the texture stand out.
How do I tell periods apart?
Look to the timber species, the carved leg style, and the overall silhouette to date the frame.
Victorian pieces often use walnut and heavy buttoning, while Georgian examples favour mahogany and understated wings.