Deep Seat Club Chairs
Deep seat club chairs are generous upholstered armchairs designed for deep, relaxed lounging.
Deep Seat Club Chairs
When you search for deep seat club chairs, you encounter large armchairs built for comfort across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These pieces encompass styles ranging from Victorian and Edwardian to Art Deco and English Country House.
The selection on this page includes leather upholstered armchairs, fabric covered library chairs, and walnut framed bergere easy chairs. You find both individual armchairs and matched pairs originating from English and French makers.
Many examples follow specific historic forms such as the Howard style, Bridgewater style, or Grafton style. They span periods from the mid-nineteenth century through the 1930s, offering deep proportions and substantial padding.
How they were made
Frames rely on sturdy timbers such as mahogany, walnut, and general wood construction to support the heavy internal padding. Upholstery materials include supple leather, calico, hessian, and various traditional fabrics.
Detailing involves brass fixtures and turned or aesthetic movement legs supporting the upholstered bodies. Button back upholstery and split cane panels appear on specific period examples.
Some chairs are described simply as extremely comfy, proving that nineteenth-century makers understood the serious business of lounging.
What varies in quality
The distinction between tiers rests upon the integrity of the underlying wooden frame and the depth of the upholstery work. Pieces attributed to notable workshops show superior proportion and enduring structural stability.
The condition and character of the covering material, whether patinated leather or heavy fabric, significantly influence the overall appeal. Original legs and well-maintained springs separate standard seating from exceptional examples.
Howard and Sons·SF Cullen·Gillows
The Deep Seat Club Chairs Glossary
- Bergere
- An enclosed upholstered armchair with wooden framing, often featuring cane work sides.
- Chesterfield
- A deep buttoned upholstery style typically executed in leather for large armchairs and sofas.
- Library chair
- A substantial armchair designed for nineteenth-century reading rooms, usually featuring leather or heavy fabric upholstery.
- Split cane
- Woven material panels fitted into wooden frames, common on early twentieth-century easy chairs.
Deep Seat Club Chairs: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these chairs come from?
The pieces span the nineteenth century, Victorian era, Edwardian period, and the 1920s and 1930s.
Designs reflect changing tastes from heavy Victorian buttoning to streamlined Art Deco leather work.
Are these chairs sold as pairs?
Many listings include matched pairs of leather club chairs or upholstered armchairs.
Single library chairs and individual armchairs also appear frequently across the different periods.
How do I identify a Howard style chair?
Howard style armchairs typically feature deep seats, low scrolled arms, and specific leg designs.
Some bear attribution to renowned makers or workshops from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.