Edwardian Low Arm Chair
An edwardian low arm chair is a deep, low-slung seat built for repose, combining country house comfort with period woodwork.
Edwardian Low Arm Chair
An edwardian low arm chair sits low to the floor with generous seat depth, taking inspiration from late Victorian comfort and country house proportions. The pieces seen on this page span the Edwardian period alongside nineteenth-century precursors and later twentieth-century iterations.
Makers and workshops of the era produced these armchairs in distinct styles, most notably the deep club form associated with Howard and Sons, alongside tub chairs and occasional salon seating. Mahogany and various hardwoods provide the structural frames beneath extensive upholstery.
The version most commonly met here is an upholstered low armchair in the Howard style, often finished in velvet or cotton calico. These chairs bridge the gap between formal parlour seating and relaxed library comfort.
How they were made
Makers constructed the foundational frames of an edwardian low arm chair using sturdy hardwoods such as mahogany, supported by internal metal springs and brass castors. Traditional joinery secured the low wooden legs and arm supports.
Upholstery forms the primary tactile element, utilising fabric, velvet, and cotton calico stretched over deep stuffing. Button backing and piped seams appear across both occasional chairs and deep club models.
Edwardian Low Arm Chair Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for edwardian low arm 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 mahogany, brass, velvet, and cotton calico across nineteenth-century and Edwardian periods.
What varies in quality
The distinction between standard commercial production and superior workshop output rests in the integrity of the frame and the depth of the springing. Maker attribution, such as pieces bearing the mark of Howard and Sons or Hampton and Sons, elevates the standing of an edwardian low arm chair.
Refinement in the woodwork, from inlaid mahogany details to carved cabriole legs, separates simple utilitarian seating from sophisticated salon pieces. The quality of the original upholstery materials and the resilience of the internal webbing dictate how well a chair survives decades of use.
Howard and Sons·Hampton and Sons·Waring and Gillow
The Edwardian Low Arm Chair Glossary
- Howard style
- A deep-seated armchair design characterised by low arms, sprung comfort, and generous proportions originally popularized by the Victorian and Edwardian maker Howard and Sons.
- Tub chair
- An upholstered armchair with a rounded, curved back that flows continuously into low arms, creating an enclosed and supportive seat.
- Calico
- A plain-woven cotton fabric frequently employed as the inner lining or base upholstery layer beneath decorative top covers on period chairs.
- Castor
- A small wheel fitted to the base of chair legs to allow smooth movement across carpets and flooring.
- Salon chair
- A light, decorative armchair designed for reception rooms rather than heavy library or parlour use.
Edwardian Low Arm Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
What defines an edwardian low arm chair?
An edwardian low arm chair is characterised by a shortened seat-to-floor height and deep upholstery designed for relaxed lounging. These seats borrow heavily from nineteenth-century club chair proportions.
Makers built them using mahogany or hardwood frames, often finishing the upholstery in velvet, fabric, or calico.
Who made these armchairs?
Notable firms such as Howard and Sons, Hampton and Sons, and Waring and Gillow produced prominent examples during the period. Many other pieces follow these established workshop styles without bearing a maker mark.
Attributed pieces often command greater interest among collectors due to documented manufacturing quality.
How do I tell an Edwardian chair from a Victorian one?
Edwardian seating tends to exhibit lighter woods, simpler inlaid decoration, and a greater emphasis on relaxed comfort compared to heavier Victorian forms. However, many chairs bridge these eras through transitional nineteenth-century styles.
Upholstery style and frame timbers provide the clearest chronological clues.
Where were these chairs used in the home?
These armchairs served in drawing rooms, libraries, and country house parlours where comfortable seating was paramount. Low salon chairs specifically suited formal reception spaces.
Their compact height made them versatile additions to various entertaining rooms.
How should I care for velvet upholstery?
Velvet surfaces require gentle brushing with the grain to prevent crushing and preserve the pile. Avoiding direct sunlight protects the fabric colour from fading over time.
Professional cleaning ensures the delicate textile remains undamaged.