High Back Tufted Armchairs
High back tufted armchairs combine deep buttoning with towering support, offering period presence and exceptional comfort.
High Back Tufted Armchairs
High back tufted armchairs span Victorian, Edwardian, and Georgian Revival periods, incorporating styles from Napoleon III to Gothic Revival. When exploring high back tufted armchairs, buyers encounter substantial seating options designed to anchor a room.
How they were made
Timbers like mahogany, walnut, oak, and general wood or timber form the robust structural frames of these seats. Brass detailing often appears alongside carved elements.
Deep buttoning secures the leather, velvet, or fabric upholstery tightly to the interior padding. Hand dyed finishes and carved woodwork complete the construction of the pieces.
High Back Tufted Armchairs Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for high back tufted armchairs 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.
Some nineteenth century examples feature carved wooden lions keeping a steadfast watch over the armrests.
What varies in quality
The depth and precision of the button tufting dictate the visual crispness of the upholstered surface. Leather treatment ranges from standard finishes to rich hand dyed patinas.
Carved wooden details on frames, from lion motifs to cabriole legs, show varying degrees of sculptural depth. Frame timbers such as solid mahogany or walnut exhibit different densities of grain and structural integrity.
A.W.N. Pugin
The High Back Tufted Armchairs Glossary
- Wingback
- An armchair with side panels designed to shield the sitter from draughts. These wings extend upward from the arms.
- Barrel back
- A semicircular chair design where the back and arms form a single curved continuous enclosure. This style wraps closely around the occupant.
- Buttoning
- An upholstery technique where depressions are created by pulling twine through padding and securing it with buttons. This method keeps the stuffing firmly in place.
- Cabriole leg
- A furniture leg that curves outward and then tapers inward to a foot. This form derives from animal limbs.
- Library chair
- A sturdy seat designed for reading rooms and studies, typically constructed from mahogany or walnut. These pieces frequently feature leather upholstery.
High Back Tufted Armchairs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify a Victorian wing chair?
Victorian wing chairs display deep buttoned upholstery and characteristic side panels designed originally to block cold draughts. Their frames often utilise mahogany, walnut, or oak.
These pieces reflect the robust proportions typical of nineteenth century seating. They work well as statement furniture in traditional interiors.
Where were library chairs used?
Library chairs served scholars and readers in private studies and institutional reading rooms. Their sturdy wood frames and durable leather upholstery endured heavy daily use.
These seats prioritise ergonomic support combined with formal nineteenth century style. They complement executive desks and book lined walls.
What is Georgian Revival style?
Georgian Revival furniture reinterprets the classical proportions and decorative motifs of eighteenth century design. Makers adopted these traditional aesthetics during later periods.
Pieces in this style combine historical elegance with the sturdiness of their actual manufacturing era. They bring formal symmetry to modern rooms.