Pair of Accent Armchairs
A pair of accent armchairs brings symmetry and comfort to a room, offering matching seating created across various historic periods and regional styles.
Pair of Accent Armchairs
A pair of accent armchairs comprises two matching seats designed to complement a room scheme rather than serve as primary lounge furniture. When searching this phrase, a buyer encounters forms ranging from compact salon and corner chairs to large library, club, and throne armchairs.
The selection on this page spans several centuries and origins, including 18th century George III painted frames, 19th century Victorian Gothic revival oak, and 1930s Art Deco Scandinavian birch. French designs such as giltwood bergere tub chairs and Louis XVI style armchairs appear alongside English mahogany carvers and Chinese hardwood yokeback chairs.
Most entries belong to the 19th century or the Edwardian and Art Deco periods, reflecting diverse regional tastes from Scotland to Piedmont and Sweden. Buyers find timber frames paired with varied coverings including leather, velvet, tapestry, and original paint.
How they were made
Makers constructed the structural frames of these armchairs using dense timbers such as walnut, mahogany, oak, and birch, often incorporating carved detail, parcel gilding, or applied paint. Some examples utilise split cane work or Chinese elm with original red lacquer.
Upholstered versions rely on traditional stuffing and textile applications, utilising leather, velvet, tapestry, and fabric secured to the wooden frameworks. Brass elements appear as decorative studs or structural accents on specific club and leather models.
Pair of Accent Armchairs Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for pair of accent 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.
Several armchairs arrive with their original paint or red lacquer intact, proving that a coat of paint can survive a century or three of sitting.
What varies in quality
The standard of carving and joinery dictates the distinction between standard production and superior craftsmanship, visible in the sharpness of detail on walnut, oak, and giltwood frames. Original finishes, such as early paint layers, patinated lacquer, or period leather, hold greater integrity than later interventions.
The cohesion of the pairing matters significantly, as matching chairs that retain uniform timber colour, proportional balance, and consistent wear across both pieces command higher regard than assembled pairs.
Jacob-Desmalter·Hille·Howard and Sons
The Pair of Accent Armchairs Glossary
- Carver
- An armchair designed with open arms, traditionally placed at the ends of a dining table. These frames match the simpler side chairs in a dining set.
- Giltwood
- Timber coated with a thin layer of gold leaf. This technique provides a decorative metallic finish on formal 18th and 19th century frames.
- Parcel-gilt
- Partially gilded woodwork where gold leaf highlights specific carved details against a painted or polished wood background.
- Yokeback
- A traditional Chinese chair design featuring a top rail that curves outward like a yoke. These pieces utilise native hardwoods and clean joinery.
- Fauteuil
- An open-armed French upholstered armchair with exposed wood framing. The arms typically feature padded elbow rests.
Pair of Accent Armchairs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I match them to my room?
Consider the primary wood tone and period style of your existing furniture before selecting a pair. Chairs with neutral leather or simple painted finishes blend easily into varied interior schemes.
Larger upholstered club or throne chairs require substantial floor space to avoid overcrowding a smaller seating area.
Were these chairs meant for dining?
Some forms, such as carvers and dining armchairs, were specifically built to sit at the head of a table. Other types designated as salon, morning room, or bedroom chairs served occasional seating purposes.
Checking the seat height and arm clearance helps determine whether a pair suits dining or general reception use.
How do I identify French styles?
French armchairs often display carved walnut, giltwood, or painted surfaces reflecting Louis styles, Rococo revival, or Art Deco aesthetics. Characteristic details include exposed carved frames, cabriole legs, and integrated upholstery like tapestry or silk.
Bergere and fauteuil forms provide distinct silhouettes compared to contemporaneous English or Scandinavian seating.
What is the difference between club and wing chairs?
Club armchairs offer deep, low-slung seating typically upholstered in leather with rounded upholstered backs. They prioritise relaxed lounging comfort over formal posture.
Wing chairs feature protective side panels designed originally to shield occupants from draughts near fireplaces, maintaining a more upright seat.