Georgian Fireside Armchair
A georgian fireside armchair brings warmth and traditional comfort to a room, offering high backs and deep seats designed to block draughts.
What these armchairs are
A georgian fireside armchair is a seat designed to keep out the chill, featuring tall backs and protective wings that frame the sitter. The pieces on this page span the 18th century, the Georgian period, and Edwardian reproductions, alongside items dated around 1800.
You will encounter open armchairs alongside enclosed wingback and barrel back forms. These substantial seats dominate a hearth, offering deep proportions intended for relaxing by the fire.
How they were made
The frames rely on solid timber foundations, incorporating mahogany and unspecified hardwood. These sturdy wooden skeletons provide the structural strength needed to support generous upholstery.
Upholstery materials recorded include cotton chintz, damask, tapestry, and calico, often finished with brass details. These textiles cover the padded frames and wings that define the seating style.
Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical UK retail prices for georgian fireside 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.
Current listings and archive records include pieces dated to the 18th century, the Georgian period, and Edwardian reproductions.
What varies in quality
The distinction between a period piece and a later Edwardian copy lies in the timber age and the crispness of the frame construction. Original 18th-century examples show the subtle wear of centuries on their hardwood frames.
Upholstery condition varies from intact damask and chintz to frames sold specifically for re-covering or re-upholstery. The choice of covering fabric alters the visual weight of the chair within a room.
The Georgian Fireside Armchair Glossary
- Wingback
- An armchair style featuring high sides attached to the arms to shield the face from draughts. This form defines many traditional fireside seats.
- Barrel back
- A seating shape where the back and arms form a continuous semicircle. This enclosing curve offers exceptional comfort near a hearth.
- Damask
- A reversible figured fabric traditionally used for heavy upholstery. It appears on period chairs to provide a formal patterned finish.
- Calico
- A plain-woven cotton cloth often used as a base layer for upholstery. Many project pieces arrive covered in this simple material.
- George III
- A design period spanning the late 18th century. Furniture from this era displays characteristic proportions and hardwood frames.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a georgian fireside armchair?
A georgian fireside armchair is a traditional seating form created to keep sitters warm by blocking hearth draughts. These pieces feature tall backs and protective side wings.
They appear in open arm designs, barrel backs, and substantial wingback formats built from mahogany and hardwood.
How do I spot an 18th century frame?
Examine the timber construction and overall proportion of the wooden skeleton underneath the fabric. Period pieces show the natural ageing of mahogany and hardwood.
Later Edwardian copies replicate the earlier George III styles but lack the specific patina of original 18th-century manufacture.
What fabrics cover these chairs?
Original and replacement upholstery includes patterned cotton chintz, damask, and decorative tapestry. Some examples retain simple calico intended as a foundation for further covering.
Brass details frequently accent the edges where the textile meets the wooden frame.
Are some chairs sold for upholstery?
Several pieces in the archive and current listings are offered specifically for re-covering or re-upholstery. These items allow buyers to choose their own textile finish.
The underlying hardwood frames remain sound while requiring new fabric to suit modern interiors.