Red Velvet Wingback
These red velvet wingback armchairs bring deep colour and traditional comfort to a room, offering high sides that keep out draughts by the fire.
Red Velvet Wingback
A red velvet wingback armchair is a high-backed seating form designed to shield the sitter from air movement, featuring prominent upholstered side panels known as wings. These chairs appear in various historical iterations, spanning Georgian examples through to Victorian and early twentieth-century interpretations.
The pieces on this page encompass styles such as Queen Anne, English Country, and 19th Century British. Among these, nineteenth-century examples and twentieth-century pieces from the nineteen-tens and twenties occur most frequently in the listings.
How they were made
Makers constructed the frames of these armchairs using sturdy timbers including mahogany, walnut, and general wood. These foundational structures support the sprung and padded upholstery upholstered in velvet, chenille twill, damask, or cotton fabrics.
Detailing often includes exposed wooden legs, sometimes paired with brass hardware or castors to facilitate movement. The traditional upholstery technique builds up generous padding to create the deep, comfortable proportions seen in the larger armchairs.
Red Velvet Wingback Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for red velvet wingback 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.
These chairs feature wings specifically designed to trap heat from the hearth and protect your ears from midnight drafts.
What varies in quality
The distinction between standard examples and superior pieces rests upon the integrity of the timber frame and the generosity of the proportions. Finer chairs exhibit substantial scale, balanced wing geometry, and careful execution of the underlying woodwork.
Upholstery choice and execution also define the tier of the piece, with richer textiles and disciplined pleating or piping elevating the finished armchair. Earlier periods such as the Georgian era command attention through authenticity of form and period framing techniques.
HOWARD AND SONS
The Red Velvet Wingback Glossary
- Wingback
- An armchair featuring protective side panels attached to the arms and framing the head to retain warmth. These wings originated to block cold draughts in older houses.
- Chenille twill
- A textured woven fabric with a caterpillar-like pile utilised for upholstery. This material provides a durable and tactile surface for heavy-use seating.
- Damask
- A reversible figured fabric traditionally woven on a jacquard loom with intricate patterns. It offers a formal finish often seen on period upholstery.
Red Velvet Wingback: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a red velvet wingback?
A red velvet wingback is a traditional armchair featuring high protective panels on either side of the headrest. The bright red textile upholstery adds a strong visual element to this historic seating form.
These chairs were originally designed for fireside placement to block cold air currents. Today they serve as statement reading chairs in living spaces and studies.
How old are these armchairs?
The pieces available span multiple centuries and decades, including Georgian, Victorian, and early twentieth-century examples up to nineteen thirty. Each era brings distinct proportions and construction details to the basic wing chair form.
Examination of the timber frame and upholstery methods generally reveals the specific period of manufacture. Earlier pieces reflect eighteenth-century design canons while later ones incorporate Edwardian or twentieth-century comforts.
Which woods were used for frames?
Cabinet makers utilised dense hardwoods such as mahogany and walnut for the primary structural frames and exposed legs. General timber was also employed where hidden from view.
These durable woods ensure the structural longevity required to support heavy padding and daily use over centuries. The choice of timber often corresponds to the prevailing style and period of the chair.
How do I style a wingback chair?
A red velvet wingback works effectively as a focal point in a traditional or eclectic interior. Position it near a fireplace or in a corner to create a dedicated reading nook.
The rich colour of the velvet pairs well with neutral walls and dark wood furniture. These armchairs also bring texture and traditional presence to modern rooms.