Pair High Back Fauteuils
Pair high back fauteuils bring monumental French seating into a room, offering commanding proportions and carved timber frames.
Pair High Back Fauteuils
These pair high back fauteuils encompass grand open armchairs originating primarily from nineteenth-century France. The selection spans distinct revival movements including French Baroque, Régence, and Louis XIII styles, alongside French Country and chateau aesthetics.
Most examples present elevated backrests designed to dominate a salon or formal interior. Buyers encounter substantial frames constructed for both decorative display and physical presence.
Materials and construction
Frames rely predominantly on solid walnut and giltwood, frequently enhanced by intricate hand-carved detailing. Brass elements and timber subframes provide additional structural integrity.
Upholstery relies on traditional textiles including linen, wool, and damask fabric, secured to accommodate the expansive seating proportions.
Pair High Back Fauteuils Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for pair high back fauteuils 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 nineteenth-century walnut and giltwood pair high back fauteuils spanning French Baroque, Régence, and William and Mary revival styles.
Assessing quality
Quality rests primarily in the crispness and depth of the timber or giltwood carving across the frame. Master carvers delivered intricate relief work that remains sharp and well-defined.
The choice of upholstery fabric and the fidelity of the period revival style further distinguish standard output from exceptional salon seating.
The Pair High Back Fauteuils Glossary
- Fauteuil
- An open-arm armchair originating in France, characterised by upholstered back and arm pads with exposed wooden framing. These chairs became central to formal interior decoration.
- Giltwood
- Timber coated with gold leaf or a gold-coloured metallic application. This finish added luminosity to formal salon furniture.
- Damask
- A reversible figured fabric woven on a jacquard loom, typically utilising silk, wool, or linen. It provides a rich patterned texture suited to period seating.
Pair High Back Fauteuils: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fauteuil?
A fauteuil is a traditional French open-arm armchair featuring upholstered back and arm rests set within a visible wood or gilt frame. They were designed for formal sitting rooms.
Unlike fully upholstered armchairs, the wooden structure of a fauteuil remains part of the visual design, displaying carved details and period ornamentation.
How do I style these armchairs?
These large armchairs work best as statement pieces in spacious living rooms, libraries, or grand halls. Their height and carved frames demand adequate surrounding space.
Pair them with complementary antique tables or position them facing a fireplace to create a balanced, formal seating arrangement.
How do I identify the period?
Dating relies on examining the specific revival style, such as French Baroque or Régence, combined with the characteristics of the walnut or giltwood frame. Nineteenth-century makers frequently interpreted earlier monarchical designs.
Construction methods and the wear patterns on the timber and upholstery provide further clues to the approximate date of manufacture.
Are these chairs comfortable for daily use?
These chairs offer upright, supportive seating designed for formal rooms rather than lounging. Their high backs provide substantial support for the head and shoulders.
Modern comfort depends on the internal webbing and padding condition, which varies across nineteenth-century examples.