What is a Gainsborough chair?

A Gainsborough chair is a wide, open-armed desk chair typically upholstered in leather or fabric. It was created in the mid-18th century to provide comfortable seating for reading and writing. These chairs feature sturdy mahogany frames and low-relief carving, making them suitable for pairing with library desks and writing tables.

What is Chippendale style?

Chippendale style refers to furniture designs originating from the mid-18th century work of Thomas Chippendale and his contemporaries. It emphasises solid mahogany construction, classical proportions, and intricate carved details. Revival pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries replicated these aesthetic signatures, applying them to desks, writing tables, and armchairs.

How do I tell an 18th century desk from a revival?

Distinguishing an 18th-century piece from a later revival involves examining the construction methods, timber ageing, and tool marks on the underside of the wood. Original Georgian pieces show hand-cut joinery and period-specific wear patterns. Revival pieces, manufactured during the Victorian, Edwardian, or early 20th-century eras, exhibit machine assistance or different secondary woods while faithfully copying the earlier forms.