What is a Gainsborough chair?

A Gainsborough chair is a wide, open armchair featuring upholstered arms and seat designed during the eighteenth century for use in libraries or at desks. These pieces typically stand on cabriole legs and provide an expansive seating area compared to standard dining chairs.

How do I tell an original from a revival?

Original pieces date from the mid-eighteenth century, whereas revival pieces generally emerge from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Examining the construction methods, timber ageing, and tool marks helps determine the precise period of manufacture.

Where were these chairs used?

These seating forms served multiple domestic functions in period homes, from formal dining rooms to private studies and grand hallways. Armchairs found placement near desks and hearths while side chairs lined dining tables and walls.

How do I care for leather upholstery?

Leather surfaces require regular conditioning to prevent drying and cracking over time in modern indoor environments. Keeping the material away from direct heat sources preserves the suppleness of the hide.