Button Back Salon Suite
A button back salon suite brings Victorian and Edwardian reception rooms to life with deep upholstery and carved woodwork.
Button Back Salon Suite
When you search for a button back salon suite, you are looking at matched groups of drawing room seating designed for formal entertaining. These suites typically comprise sofas and armchairs, though larger sets extend to eight or nine pieces.
The defining characteristic is the deep buttoned upholstery, which creates a cushioned, patterned surface across the backrests. These pieces originated as status symbols for wealthy nineteenth century parlours.
Materials and construction
The frames of these suites rely on solid hardwoods like mahogany and walnut, chosen for their strength and rich grain. Carved details adorn the woodwork on many Victorian and Edwardian pieces.
Upholstery materials include velvet, damask fabric, and standard fabric stretched over deep buttoning. Brass hardware and metal components occasionally appear on castors or structural joints.
Victorian parlor etiquette demanded buttoned upholstery so stiffly sprung that guests sat remarkably upright.
Separating the ordinary from the exceptional
Quality in these suites rests on the depth and execution of the carved woodwork on the frames. Exhibition quality pieces display intricate hand carving that distinguishes them from standard workshop production.
The scale of the suite also dictates its standing, with larger sets of six to nine pieces requiring greater uniformity across every chair and sofa. Maker attribution, such as work by James Shoolbred, elevates a suite above unsigned examples.
James Shoolbred
The Button Back Salon Suite Glossary
- Deep buttoned
- Upholstery technique where tucks are pulled tight and secured with buttons in a geometric pattern. This creates the characteristic padded dimples seen on Victorian backs.
- Salon suite
- A matching set of seating furniture intended for a formal drawing room or parlour. It generally includes a sofa alongside multiple matching chairs.
- Cameo back
- An oval or shield shaped upholstered backrest framed in carved wood. This shape is frequently encountered on Victorian walnut chairs.
- Louis XVI Revival
- A nineteenth century decorative style borrowing French neoclassical motifs, including straight fluted legs and symmetrical carved frames.
Button Back Salon Suite: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pieces are in a suite?
The number of pieces varies from smaller sets of two or three items up to large groupings of eight or nine pieces. A standard configuration usually includes a sofa paired with matching chairs.
Larger drawing room suites often accommodated substantial Victorian and Edwardian reception spaces.
Which woods were used?
The framing woods most commonly seen are mahogany and walnut, selected for their durability and attractive grain. Rosewood also appears on specific Edwardian pieces.
These hardwoods supported elaborate carvings and provided a sturdy base for the upholstered elements.
How do I date these suites?
Dating relies on the recorded periods, which span the Victorian era, the nineteenth century, and the early twentieth century. Stylistic details such as Louis XVI Revival motifs also help place pieces around specific decades.
Makers' names, when present, provide a firmer indication of the manufacturing period.