Deep Buttoned Slipper Chair
A deep buttoned slipper chair offers a low seat designed for comfort, and the examples gathered here span the Victorian, Edwardian, and Regency periods.
Materials and construction
Makers shaped the frames of a deep buttoned slipper chair using timbers including mahogany, walnut, and general wood, occasionally incorporating iron for structural support behind the upholstery. Legs range from ebonised and gilt finishes to brass castors that allow for easy movement across floors.
Upholstery defines the surface of these pieces, utilising velvet, vintage mulberry linen, and various traditional fabrics pulled tight with deep tufted buttons. This labor-intensive method creates the signature dimpled pattern across the backrests of Victorian and Edwardian examples.
Assessing quality and craftsmanship
Quality in a deep buttoned slipper chair rests on the integrity of the underlying timber frame and the precision of the upholstery work. Finer pieces demonstrate robust joinery in woods like mahogany and walnut, maintaining stability despite their low and compact proportions.
The execution of the buttoning dictates the visual refinement of the piece, with evenly spaced tufts holding the fabric securely against the padding. Pieces bearing stamps or attribution to established workshops like Gillows or Howard and Sons carry distinct craftsmanship markers.
Victorian ladies required low chairs so their servants could lace their slippers without awkward bending.
Howard and Sons·Gillows
The Deep Buttoned Slipper Chair Glossary
- Deep buttoned
- An upholstery technique where buttons are sewn deeply through the padding to create a quilted, geometric pattern of indentations. This method secures the internal stuffing while adding texture to the chair back.
- Slipper chair
- A low-seated upholstered chair originally designed for ladies' dressing rooms in the nineteenth century. Its elevated proximity to the floor made it practical for changing footwear.
- Balloon back
- A rounded, oval-shaped chair back resembling a balloon, popular during the Victorian era. This form frequently appears on nursing and dressing table chairs.
- Tub armchair
- A comfortable chair featuring a rounded, enclosed back that curves continuously into the arms. It provides a cocooning seat shape often seen in nineteenth-century examples.
- Castor
- A small wheel fitted to the base of furniture legs to permit rolling. Brass fittings frequently appear on the feet of nineteenth-century seating.
Deep Buttoned Slipper Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a deep buttoned slipper chair?
A deep buttoned slipper chair is a low nineteenth-century seat designed for bedrooms and dressing rooms. Its compact height made it convenient for putting on shoes.
Today, these pieces function as occasional seating in living rooms and studies. Their low profiles allow them to sit comfortably beneath windows or beside low tables.
How do I date a slipper chair?
Dating relies on stylistic clues, frame timbers, and upholstery forms. Regency models show leaner classical lines, while Victorian examples often feature walnut or mahogany balloon backs.
Edwardian pieces tend to display lighter proportions and refined Edwardian framing. Comparing the turned legs and castor types also helps establish the era of manufacture.
Can I use these in a living room?
These low chairs fit easily into contemporary sitting rooms and bedrooms. Their intimate scale suits smaller corners where standard armchairs might overwhelm the space.
They pair well with low coffee tables and firesides. Many examples retain supportive sprung or padded seats suited for daily relaxation.
What are iron-back slipper chairs?
Iron-back chairs utilise metal internal frames to support the upholstered backrest. This technique provided robust durability within a slender profile during the nineteenth century.
Such construction allowed makers to produce sturdy chairs with relatively narrow backs. They remain distinct country house variants found among period seating.