Linen Reading Chair
A linen reading chair offers deep comfort and traditional style, making it a natural choice for a quiet corner or library.
Linen Reading Chair
A linen reading chair is typically encountered as a wing armchair, wingback chair, or deep-seated armchair designed for comfort. The selection on this page spans periods from the 18th century and Georgian era through the Victorian, Edwardian, and early 20th century.
Most examples take the form of traditional library chairs, fireside chairs, and occasional armchairs. The origins range from English country house styles to French designs, including Victorian and Edwardian interpretations.
How They Were Made
Frames are constructed from sturdy timbers such as mahogany, walnut, beech, and general wood, providing solid structural support. These wooden frames are often paired with exposed or concealed brass details.
Upholstery relies on durable textiles like linen and cotton, frequently featuring deep buttoning on the backrest. Frames may also incorporate squab seats and careful hand-finishing to ensure longevity.
Linen Reading Chair Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for linen reading 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.
What Varies in Quality
Quality rests upon the selection and craftsmanship of the timber frame, with dense woods like mahogany and walnut offering superior stability. The integrity of the original or restored joinery dictates how well the armchair bears weight over time.
Upholstery execution separates standard pieces from finer examples, visible in the tension of the linen, the precision of buttoning, and the harmony between the textile and the underlying chair style.
Howard and Son·William Birch
The Linen Reading Chair Glossary
- Wing armchair
- An upholstered chair with high sides attached to the back, designed to shield the sitter from draughts. This form is common among Georgian and Victorian pieces.
- Squab seat
- A loose, removable cushion placed on the seat base of an armchair. It provides an extra layer of padding for extended sitting.
- Button-backed
- A style of upholstery where depressions are formed in the padding by pulling twine or thread tight and securing it with buttons. This technique keeps the stuffing evenly distributed.
- Barrel back
- An armchair design featuring a semicircular rounded back enclosing the sitter. It offers a cosy and supportive shape for reading.
Linen Reading Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
What defines a linen reading chair?
A linen reading chair is a comfortable upholstered armchair designed for long periods of sitting, typically featuring a supportive back and fabric upholstery.
These pieces often take the form of wingbacks or deep-seated library chairs drawn from various historical periods.
Where should I place a wingback chair?
A wingback chair suits quiet corners, libraries, and fireside settings where comfort and traditional aesthetics matter.
The high sides and deep seat make it an ideal spot for reading and relaxing.
How do I care for antique linen upholstery?
Caring for antique linen upholstery requires gentle vacuuming with a soft attachment to remove surface dust.
Avoiding direct sunlight helps protect the natural fibres from fading over time.