Buttoned Club Chairs
Buttoned club chairs are substantial low-slung seating designed for deep comfort, bringing tactile presence and rich patinated hides into a room.
Buttoned Club Chairs
Buttoned club chairs provide low-slung, substantial seating designed primarily for comfort in libraries, studies and country houses. When exploring buttoned club chairs, you encounter low armchairs and library chairs originating predominantly from the nineteenth century and the Edwardian era.
The most common forms on this page include brown and tan leather wing chairs, tub chairs and Chesterfield styles. These pieces often feature deep buttoning across the backrest and rest upon timber frames of mahogany, oak or walnut.
How they were made
Frames rely on sturdy timbers such as mahogany, oak and walnut, frequently shaped into library armchairs or tub chairs with exposed legs or carved details. Brass castors and caning appear on select examples to aid movement and texture.
Upholstery employs durable leathers, rexine, or textiles like silk, calico, fabric and velvet. Deep buttoning secures the padding while creating the signature tufted surface seen across Victorian and Edwardian iterations.
Buttoned Club Chairs Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for buttoned club 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.
Listings feature items spanning the nineteenth century, the Victorian era, the Edwardian period, and the nineteen-twenties, constructed from leather, mahogany, oak and walnut.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the integrity of the timber frame, the weight of the supporting construction, and the depth of joinery skill applied to stress points. Pieces attributed to notable workshops demonstrate superior structural substance compared to standard commercial outputs.
The choice and treatment of covering materials define the finish, from thick, patinated leathers to fine silks or velvets. Well-executed buttoning and durable internal webbing maintain tension and form over decades of use.
Howard & Sons·Holland & Sons·Gillows·Mellier & Co·Shoolbred
The Buttoned Club Chairs Glossary
- Chesterfield
- A deep-buttoned upholstered seating style traditionally finished in leather, known for rolled arms and a low back.
- Tub chair
- An armchair featuring a rounded, semi-circular backrest that wraps continuously into the arms.
- Wing armchair
- A high-backed seat featuring protective side panels designed to shield the sitter from draughts.
- Bergere
- An enclosed upholstered armchair with a wooden frame, frequently incorporating cane panels.
- Rexine
- A brand of artificial leather fabric used as an alternative upholstery material on twentieth-century seating.
Buttoned Club Chairs: Frequently Asked Questions
What defines a buttoned club chair?
Buttoned club chairs are low, deep-seated armchairs characterised by tufted upholstery across the backrest. They combine heavy padding with supportive wooden frames.
Most examples date from the nineteenth century or the Edwardian period, often upholstered in leather or fabric.
Where were these chairs used?
These chairs traditionally furnished libraries, studies and country house drawing rooms. Their sturdy construction suited prolonged reading and relaxation.
Today they function as focal seating pieces in both traditional and contemporary interiors.
How do I care for leather upholstery?
Leather surfaces benefit from regular dusting and occasional treatment with appropriate conditioning balms to prevent drying. Keeping chairs away from direct heat sources preserves the natural hide.
Gentle maintenance protects the patinated finish accumulated over decades of use.