Deep Tufted Armchair
These deep tufted armchair pieces offer rich upholstery and buttoning, combining comfort with period character for any traditional interior.
What They Are
A deep tufted armchair brings substantial comfort and historical presence to a room, drawing on Victorian and George III styles. These seating pieces span the nineteenth century up to nineteen thirty, including open armchairs, easy library chairs, and gentleman's chairs.
Makers such as Howard and Sons appear among the nineteenth-century selections, bringing specific maker pedigree to the traditional forms. Each piece demonstrates the heavy upholstery and tufting characteristic of the search phrase.
How They Were Made
Craftsmen built these frames using hardwoods like mahogany and walnut, ensuring structural integrity beneath deep upholstery. Detailed carving appears on elements like lion hand carved wooden sections.
Upholstery utilised traditional materials including leather, velvet, damask, calico, and general fabric upholstery. Brass details, such as tacks or castors, frequently finish the construction of these nineteenth-century seats.
Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical UK retail prices for deep tufted armchair, calculated from the Sellingantiques database of over a million retail prices indexed since 2003. This retail price guide relies exclusively on Sellingantiques data; no external sources or auction records are used, so the figures do not describe the wider market.
Some fearless armchairs even sport hand-carved lions keeping watch over the armrests.
What Varies in Quality
Quality rests in the integrity of the hardwood frame and the depth of the traditional buttoning. Superior examples maintain firm structural support and crisp carving on exposed woodwork.
The grade of the covering material dictates the feel of the piece, with fine leathers and rich velvets setting the upper tier apart from standard fabric upholstery.
Howard and Sons
The Deep Tufted Armchair Glossary
- Deep tufted
- A method of upholstering where buttons are pulled through the padding to create a diamond pattern. This technique secures the stuffing and defines the classic armchair silhouette.
- Wing armchair
- A high-backed seat featuring side panels designed to shield the sitter from drafts. George III style versions offer generous proportions.
- Gentleman's chair
- A Victorian upholstered seat typically designed with a lower back and open arms to accommodate nineteenth-century male attire. Walnut and mahogany woods frequently form the frames.
- Velvet
- A woven tufted fabric with a dense pile that provides a soft texture. It appears on nineteenth-century open armchairs.
- Chesterfield
- A traditional form characterised by equal height back and arms with deep button tufting. Lion hand carved details occasionally accent these leather suites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a deep tufted armchair?
A deep tufted armchair is a nineteenth-century or early twentieth-century seat featuring buttoned upholstery designed for comfort and presence.
These pieces use traditional materials like leather, velvet, and mahogany across styles ranging from Victorian to George III.
Where did these armchairs originate?
The pieces originate primarily from British and French workshops during the nineteenth century and up to nineteen thirty.
Maker traditions such as Howard and Sons heavily influenced the design of these comfortable seats.
How should I care for leather upholstery?
Leather upholstery requires regular conditioning to maintain suppleness and prevent the natural material from drying out over time.
Keep antique leather chairs away from direct heat sources and strong sunlight to preserve the finish.