Button Back Leather Chair
A button back leather chair brings deep-buttoned upholstery and traditional seating into a room, offering both library comfort and period presence.
Button Back Leather Chair
A button back leather chair encompasses a diverse range of seating forms designed for studies, libraries, and living spaces, drawing from 19th-century and early 20th-century traditions.
The most common iterations found in these selections include Victorian and later Chesterfield armchairs, library chairs, and wingback designs upholstered in tan, brown, or green leather.
Alongside larger armchairs, the inventory includes desk chairs, revolving chairs, and occasional seating with distinctive buttoned upholstery spanning Regency to 1930s origins.
Materials and construction
Frames are constructed predominantly from hardwoods such as mahogany, oak, walnut, and rosewood, occasionally incorporating cane panels or brass inlay for decorative effect.
Upholstery relies on traditional leather hides fixed with brass studding, coupled with deep tufting or buttoning techniques that secure the padding to the internal frame.
Certain desk and revolving variants integrate mechanical metal components to facilitate swivel and tilting functions within the wooden framework.
Button Back Leather Chair Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for button back leather chair 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.
Chair forms span library armchairs, rocking chairs, desk chairs, and wingbacks.
What separates the tiers
Quality variation rests in the substance of the timber framing, the suppleness and age of the leather hide, and the precision of the hand-buttoning work.
Examples featuring secondary woods, intricate carving, or patented mechanical systems command greater distinction than standard utilitarian models.
The integrity of the frame construction and the depth of the buttoning dictate the overall enduring character of each piece.
Howard And Sons·Daws Patent
The Button Back Leather Chair Glossary
- Chesterfield
- A traditional style of heavily upholstered seating featuring rolled arms and a back of the same height, typically buttoned in leather.
- Wingback
- An armchair with side panels or 'wings' designed to shield the sitter from draughts and retain heat from a fire.
- Bergère
- An enclosed armchair with wooden or cane sides, originating in France and adopted into British furniture design.
- Revolving chair
- A desk or office chair fitted with a central spindle or pivot mechanism allowing the seat to turn.
- Library chair
- A substantial armchair designed for reading rooms, often featuring generous proportions and upholstered armrests.
Button Back Leather Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I date a leather armchair?
Dating relies on examining the framing timber, the style of the legs, and the method of upholstery construction used beneath the leather hide.
Earlier 19th-century pieces often display hand-turned mahogany or rosewood supports, whereas 20th-century versions shift toward different frame joinery and standardised components.
What is a Chesterfield armchair?
A Chesterfield armchair is defined by its characteristic low back and arms of equal height, both finished with deep-buttoned upholstery and brass studding.
This form provides a sturdy, enclosed seating position that has remained a staple of traditional British interior design for generations.
How should I care for antique leather?
Antique leather benefits from regular dusting and occasional treatment with appropriate leather dressings to prevent the hide from drying out or cracking.
Keeping the chair away from direct heat sources and strong sunlight preserves both the colour and the natural suppleness of the material.
Are desk chairs adjustable?
Period desk chairs often feature revolving mechanisms or tilt actions, though the range of movement differs according to the manufacturing date and patent design.
Victorian and later variants frequently include swivel functions, while some incorporate mechanical adjustments for the seat height or tilt.