High Back Buttoned Chair
A high back buttoned chair brings upright presence and deep-buttoned comfort to a room, built for reading by the fire.
High Back Buttoned Chair
A high back buttoned chair combines a tall, supporting back with traditional button tufting, designed to offer proper posture and warmth away from draughts. These seating pieces appear frequently in Victorian, Edwardian, and Regency periods, spanning armchairs, library chairs, and wingbacks.
The versions most commonly met on this page include nineteenth-century leather library chairs, Victorian wingbacks, and nineteenth-century French curved back armchairs. Makers often utilised rich hardwoods such as mahogany, walnut, and oak to build the robust frames that support these tall upholstered forms.
Materials and Construction
Frames are constructed from solid hardwoods such as mahogany, walnut, oak, and rosewood, often carved with cabriole legs, lion details, or showwood borders. Joinery relies on traditional methods to bear the considerable weight and tension of deep-sprung upholstery.
Upholstery combines hand-dyed leather, tan leather, velvet, and various fabrics pulled tight across interior stuffing and secured with tight buttoning. Brass studs or nails frequently edge the leather panels and arms on library and wingback chairs.
High Back Buttoned Chair Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for high back buttoned 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.
The listings span Victorian, Edwardian, and Regency periods, constructed in mahogany, walnut, oak, and rosewood with leather and velvet.
Assessing Quality
The distinction between tiers rests in the harmony of the timber frame and the depth of the upholstery work. Finer examples display crisp hand-carving on the mahogany or walnut legs and precise button placement that creates even tension across the tall back.
Materials also divide the range, as deeply patinated hand-dyed leathers and solid hardwood frames command greater appreciation than standard fabric coverings. The integrity of the internal structure dictates how well the tall silhouette maintains its upright dignity over time.
A.W.N. Pugin
The High Back Buttoned Chair Glossary
- Buttoned
- Upholstery secured with deep-set buttons pulling the fabric or leather into a distinct diamond pattern. This technique secures the internal padding and creates firm support.
- Wingback
- An armchair featuring protective side panels or wings designed to shield the sitter from draughts. These wings frame the upper back above the seat.
- Library chair
- A sturdy armchair built for reading rooms and studies, typically finished in leather and heavy timber. They offer stable seating for long periods of desk or book work.
- Showwood
- Timber framing left visible around the upholstered portions of a chair or sofa. It highlights the grain and polish of woods like mahogany or walnut.
- Cabriole leg
- A furniture leg that curves outward in a convex arc and then bends inward in a concave arc, ending in a pad or foot. The shape derives from animal limbs.
High Back Buttoned Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
Where were high back buttoned chairs used?
These chairs originally served in libraries, studies, and drawing rooms where occupants required solid back support while reading or resting near a hearth.
The tall back and upholstered wings provided privacy and blocked cold air in large, drafty period rooms.
How do I care for leather upholstery?
Leather upholstery requires regular dusting and occasional treatment with appropriate conditioners to prevent the hide from drying and cracking.
Keeping the chair away from direct sunlight and heat sources preserves the natural patina and suppleness of the leather.
How do I date a Victorian armchair?
Dating relies on examining the timber frame, carving styles, and the method of upholstery construction used underneath the leather or fabric.
Victorian pieces often feature mahogany or walnut frames with distinct revival styling, such as Gothic or Georgian influences.
Are these chairs comfortable for daily use?
The deep buttoning and supportive tall backs provide a firm, upright seating posture designed for sustained reading or conversation.
Their solid hardwood frames and sprung seats ensure they remain robust and supportive for everyday sitting.