Large Upholstered Armchair
A large upholstered armchair brings generous proportions and enduring comfort to a room, ranging from deep-seated library chairs to carved oak throne seats.
Large Upholstered Armchair
A large upholstered armchair is a substantial seat designed for comfort and presence, drawing on centuries of British and continental design. You encounter forms ranging from Georgian wing chairs and Gainsborough library seats to deep-seated country house armchairs and Victorian buttoned models.
The selections span diverse eras from the eighteenth century through the Edwardian period and the 1930s, often arriving with exposed timber frames in mahogany, walnut or oak. These pieces function as principal seating in reception rooms, libraries and studies, combining heavy timber construction with padded upholstery.
Makers and workshops such as Howard and Sons, Whytock and Reid, and Hamptons and Sons produced notable examples that survive with distinctive frames and upholstery details. Buyers meet both single library chairs and matched pairs designed for grand interiors.
What varies in quality
The integrity of the timber frame dictates stability, particularly where intricate carvings or giltwood finishes define the style. Finer examples retain original structural timber beneath the upholstery without compromising the generous scale.
The refinement of the upholstery work and the selection of covering materials distinguish standard models from master-workshop pieces. Execution of period specific details, such as library chair arms or carved throne backs, sets individual pieces apart.
Large Upholstered Armchair Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for large upholstered armchair 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.
Listings feature eighteenth-century Georgian designs alongside nineteenth-century Victorian revival pieces, utilising mahogany, walnut, oak, and leather.
Howard and Sons·Whytock and Reid·Hamptons and Sons
The Large Upholstered Armchair Glossary
- Gainsborough chair
- An eighteenth-century open-framed armchair with a wide seat and padded arms, typically used in libraries and writing rooms.
- Wing chair
- An armchair featuring side panels attached to the back to deflect draughts and retain heat, popular from the Georgian era onward.
- Bergere
- An enclosed upholstered armchair with a wooden frame, often featuring cane work panels to the sides and back.
- Library chair
- A deep, comfortable seating form designed for long periods of reading, frequently upholstered in leather or heavy fabric.
- Throne chair
- A high-backed, imposing armchair of substantial proportions, often embellished with elaborate Victorian carving.
Large Upholstered Armchair: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify a Georgian wing chair?
Georgian wing chairs display characteristic high backs with projecting side wings, supported on mahogany or walnut frames with stretchers or carved cabriole legs. Their proportions are generous and designed to accommodate traditional tailoring in leather or woven fabric.
Examination of the frame construction beneath the upholstery reveals period joinery methods distinct from later revival pieces.
Where were country house armchairs used?
These deep-seated armchairs were placed in principal reception rooms, libraries and drawing rooms of large country estates where comfort was paramount. Their oversized dimensions allowed for relaxed seating.
Over generations, they became central pieces for fireside placement within substantial domestic interiors.
How should I care for leather upholstery?
Antique leather requires gentle cleaning using specialised balms to maintain flexibility and prevent drying over time. Protection from direct sunlight preserves the original tone of the hide.
Regular dusting prevents particulate buildup in the creases of buttoned or padded surfaces.