Buttoned Tub Chair
A buttoned tub chair offers deep, curved seating wrapped in button-tufted upholstery, designed for comfort and traditional style.
Buttoned Tub Chair
A buttoned tub chair provides a rounded, enclosed back that flows continuously into the arms, creating a protective and comfortable seat. You will frequently find these chairs assigned to Victorian, Edwardian, and nineteenth-century periods, often functioning as reading, desk, or library seating.
The materials span mahogany, walnut, oak, and other timbers, paired with leather, velvet, fabric, or silk. Variations range from small country house models and parlour chairs to revolving desk chairs and larger club armchairs.
Many examples lean towards revival styles, including Louis XV and French Napoleon III designs, alongside Regency and Swedish modern interpretations. The form prioritises a low profile and a supportive, curving backrest tailored for domestic or office use.
Materials and construction
Makers built the frames of a buttoned tub chair using solid hardwoods such as mahogany, walnut, oak, and general timber, frequently incorporating brass details or inlay. These sturdy internal structures support the deep curves characteristic of the tub shape and the weight of revolving mechanisms on desk variants.
Upholstery relied on traditional stuffing methods finished with leather, velvet, fabric, or silk, held in place by systematic buttoning that created the signature tufted surface. Iron supports or brass castors sometimes reinforced the lower framework, particularly on mobile library and captain's chairs.
Buttoned Tub Chair Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for buttoned tub 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.
Listings feature eighteenth-century revival styles alongside nineteenth-century Victorian and Edwardian periods, utilising mahogany, walnut, leather, velvet, and brass.
Assessing quality
The calibre of a buttoned tub chair rests on the weight and selection of the timber frame, the precision of the joinery around the curving back, and the depth of the woodwork. Superior examples show refined proportions and harmonious integration between the wooden structure and the upholstered shell.
Quality also shows in the handling of the materials, whether supple leather, rich velvet, or durable fabric, paired with even, meticulous button tufting. Finer pieces maintain their structural integrity and tension across the curved back without sagging or loose joints.
C. Hindley & Sons·Howard & Sons·Gillows
The Buttoned Tub Chair Glossary
- Tub chair
- An armchair featuring a continuous curved back and arms forming a low, rounded enclosure. This shape surrounds the sitter for added comfort.
- Button-tufted
- An upholstery technique where buttons are pulled deep through the padding and secured to create a patterned, indented surface. This secures the internal stuffing and shapes the leather or fabric.
- Captain's desk chair
- A swivel armchair designed for office use, typically featuring a revolving mechanism and a supportive wooden or leather-upholstered back. These chairs often sit on a timber base fitted with castors.
- Fauteuil
- An open-framed French armchair with upholstered seat and backrest, often showing carved wooden arm supports. The style reflects various revival periods including Louis XV.
Buttoned Tub Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a buttoned tub chair?
A buttoned tub chair is a low, rounded armchair with a continuous back and arms, characterised by deep button-tufted upholstery.
These pieces appeared in various forms throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, serving as reading, desk, or parlour seating.
Where were these chairs used?
They found places in libraries, studies, drawing rooms, and country house interiors as comfortable lounging or working seats.
Revolving versions specifically suited office desks, while smaller parlour or corner chairs fitted more compact domestic spaces.
How do I care for leather upholstery?
Leather upholstery requires regular dusting and occasional conditioning to maintain suppleness and prevent the hide from drying out over time.
Keep these chairs away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve the natural finish of the leather and the integrity of the buttoning.
How do I distinguish Victorian from Edwardian models?
Victorian examples tend to use heavier mahogany and walnut frames with rich leather or dark velvet, often featuring robust turnings. Edwardian pieces frequently present lighter timbers, caned elements, and brighter or softer fabric selections.
Construction details and prevailing stylistic tastes of each era guide these distinctions.