Pair of Lounge Armchairs
A pair of lounge armchairs brings matched comfort and proportion to a room, offering deep seating from periods ranging through the nineteenth century to Art Deco.
Pair of Lounge Armchairs
A pair of lounge armchairs provides matched seating designed for relaxation, appearing frequently in twentieth-century Art Deco club forms and Edwardian upholstered styles. These sets range from heavy leather club chairs to carved wooden frames with silk or velvet covers.
The selections span distinct periods, including nineteenth-century French and Victorian designs alongside 1930s Swedish and French club chairs. Buyers encounter everything from low-slung occasional seating to oversized wing backs.
How they were made
Frames rely on solid timbers such as walnut, mahogany, oak, satin birch, and ebony, providing structural support for deep upholstery. Caning appears in specific bergere forms, while gilding decorates formal nineteenth-century frames.
Upholstery combines traditional springs and padding with outer coverings in leather, velvet, silk, and fabric. Brass details occasionally accent the wooden elements and leather edges.
What varies in quality
The refinement of the timber frame carving and the integrity of the joinery separate standard production from exceptional work. Makers who applied matched veneers like satin birch or carved detailed foliage achieved superior visual balance.
The density and retention of the original or renewed cushioning affect the overall comfort and posture of the seating. Superior pieces maintain crisp lines in their leather or fabric tailoring alongside robust internal framing.
Whytock and Reid·Jacob-Desmalter·Hille·Howard and Sons
The Pair of Lounge Armchairs Glossary
- Bergere
- An enclosed upholstered armchair with a wooden frame, often featuring cane panels on the back and sides. This French seating form dates back to the eighteenth century and persists in later revivals.
- Club chair
- A deep, comfortable armchair traditionally upholstered in leather. These low-slung seats became prominent during the early twentieth century.
- Fauteuil
- An open-framed upholstered armchair with exposed wooden arms originating in France. The style reflects formal period aesthetics from the eighteenth century onwards.
- Wing back
- An armchair with high sides attached to the backrest, designed originally to shield the sitter from draughts. This form appears across Victorian and Edwardian examples.
- Satin birch
- A pale, figured timber utilised frequently in Art Deco furniture design. Its smooth grain provides a distinct blonde surface finish.
Pair of Lounge Armchairs: Frequently Asked Questions
What defines an Art Deco club chair?
Art Deco club chairs emerge primarily from the 1930s, defined by rounded profiles and smooth leather or satin birch surfaces. They prioritise deep, relaxed seating within a streamlined aesthetic.
These pieces often pair dark or blonde woods with dark leather, reflecting French and Swedish design movements of the interwar period.
How do I identify an Edwardian armchair?
Edwardian armchairs typically exhibit comfortable, deep-seated proportions with traditional upholstery and fabric or leather covers. They bridge late Victorian heaviness with lighter domestic comfort.
Details often include turned wooden legs or enclosed upholstered frames designed for country house drawing rooms and sitting spaces.
Are these armchairs sold together as matched sets?
The listings consist entirely of paired items, ensuring symmetrical placement within a room layout. These dual configurations include matching club chairs, wing backs, and occasional seats.
Matching pairs maintain uniform materials, wood tones, and upholstery styles from the same period of origin.
What materials are common in nineteenth century frames?
Nineteenth-century frames utilise hardwoods such as oak, walnut, and mahogany, alongside gilded wood for formal French revival pieces. Ebony appears in specific regional imports.
These sturdy skeletons support rich upholstery including velvet, silk, and heavy leather, often accented with button-tufting.