Burr Walnut Side Chairs
Burr walnut side chairs bring unmistakable figured timber and classic form into a room, offering both seating and strong decorative presence.
Burr Walnut Side Chairs
When you search for burr walnut side chairs, you encounter seating fashioned primarily in walnut and walnut veneer, appearing singly or in matched sets across several distinct eras.
The most common examples on this page follow the Queen Anne style or Queen Anne revival aesthetic, frequently featuring shaped splats and cabriole legs.
Pieces range from Victorian sets and Edwardian examples to Art Deco designs from the 1930s, alongside earlier George II and nineteenth-century forms.
How they were made
Cabinetmakers utilised highly figured burr walnut veneers applied over solid wood foundations to create rich, swirling grain patterns on the splats and seats.
Upholstery materials such as fabric, leather, and textiles are paired with wooden frames, with many examples having been newly recovered to suit contemporary interiors.
Burr Walnut Side Chairs Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for burr walnut side chairs among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Some chairs spent a century watching dinner parties before deciding to try out a fresh fabric.
What varies in quality
The distinction between tiers rests upon the liveliness and symmetry of the burr walnut figuring across the main visible surfaces of the chair back.
Execution of carved details on the frame and the integrity of the underlying timber construction separate standard production from exceptional examples.
Charles Tozer·Harry and Lou Epstein·Hille
The Burr Walnut Side Chairs Glossary
- Burr walnut
- A specialised wood veneer harvested from the irregular growths on walnut trees, prized for its complex swirling patterns. It provides the primary decorative surface on these chairs.
- Cabriole leg
- A furniture leg that curves out and then tapers inward, mimicking an animal's leg in motion. This form appears frequently on the Queen Anne style examples.
- Side chair
- An upright chair without arms designed primarily for dining or occasional use around a room. These pieces form the core of the available selection.
- Splat
- The vertical central strip of wood in the back of a chair. In these pieces, the splat often highlights the figured grain of the walnut.
Burr Walnut Side Chairs: Frequently Asked Questions
Are these chairs suitable for daily dining?
Many sets are designed for dining use and provide sturdy seating around a table.
Consider the seat height and upholstery durability if you plan to use them for long meals.
Do the chairs come in large sets?
Listings frequently include matched sets of six, eight, or twelve chairs suited for larger dining rooms.
Pairs and single occasional chairs also appear regularly for smaller spaces.
What is the difference between side chairs and armchairs?
Side chairs are built without arms to allow close placement around a table and easy movement.
Some larger dining sets incorporate matching armchairs alongside the standard side chairs.