Eighteenth Century Style Chairs
These eighteenth century style chairs bring historic form and solid timber into a room, offering genuine period character.
Eighteenth Century Style Chairs
Eighteenth century style chairs encompass seating forms spanning the Georgian era and later revivals, ranging from single side chairs to sets of dining chairs. Buyers seeking eighteenth century style chairs encounter mahogany armchairs, side chairs, and settees built in Georgian, Chippendale, and Neoclassical designs.
How they were made
Makers shaped these pieces primarily from solid mahogany and walnut, employing traditional joinery to build strong frames for armchairs and dining seats. Carved details define the surface work on many examples, particularly along the backs and legs.
Upholstery completed the seating, utilising materials such as velvet, leather, silk damask, and fabric upholstery. Brass accents occasionally appeared on specific designs to finish the construction.
Elbow chairs offer your elbows a proper timber resting place after a long day of negotiating.
What varies in quality
Depth and crispness of the carved ornamentation separate standard examples from finer work. Skilled hand-carving yields sharp relief along the woodwork, whereas simpler versions show softer or more uniform detailing.
The selection of timber grain and the integrity of the frame construction dictate the overall merit of each piece. Superior examples maintain tight joints and well-figured mahogany or walnut surfaces across the entire structure.
Thomas Chippendale
The Eighteenth Century Style Chairs Glossary
- Chippendale
- A style named after the cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale, characterised by elaborate carved details and interlaced splat backs. Pieces in this manner frequently employ mahogany timber.
- Giltwood
- Timber treated with a thin layer of gold leaf applied over a prepared surface. This finish appears on decorative armchairs from the eighteenth century.
- Settee
- A wide wooden seat designed for multiple occupants, sharing stylistic traits with contemporary armchairs. These items often feature upholstered seats and backs.
- Elbow chair
- An armchair featuring supportive wooden arms flanking the seat. These were typically utilised at desks or as single statement pieces in a room.
Eighteenth Century Style Chairs: Frequently Asked Questions
Are these chairs genuine eighteenth century?
The selection includes pieces from the eighteenth century alongside nineteenth-century revivals and later interpretations.
Examining the timber construction, joinery methods, and wear patterns helps clarify the specific period of manufacture.
How do I use a settee?
A settee provides secondary seating in a drawing room, hallway, or bedroom.
These double seats work well against long walls or positioned near a fireplace.
What timber was used?
Makers relied primarily on mahogany and walnut for the structural frames of these seats.
Giltwood also appears on specific decorative armchairs.
How do I identify Chippendale style?
Chippendale style manifests through intricate carved woodwork and distinctive chair back designs.
Craftsmen working in this manner focused heavily on sculptural relief and robust mahogany proportions.