How do I care for antique leather?

Nourish the hide periodically with specialised leather balms to maintain flexibility and prevent the material from drying out. Keep these chairs away from direct heat sources and strong sunlight to preserve their natural tone and prevent cracking.

Are these chairs suitable for daily use?

Period dining chairs were built for heavy domestic service using dense hardwoods, making them robust enough for regular seating. Ensure that joints remain tight and stable before subjecting older frames to heavy daily demands.

How do I identify revival styles?

Revival pieces borrow the distinctive motifs of earlier Georgian or Queen Anne periods while employing the manufacturing methods of their actual date of creation. Examine the tool marks, timber ageing, and construction techniques to distinguish a nineteenth-century interpretation from an eighteenth-century original.

Can I mix different wood types?

Pairing chairs of differing timber tones requires a careful eye for grain texture and period proportion to maintain visual harmony in a dining space. Sticking to consistent forms like shield back or balloon back designs helps bridge minor variations in wood colour.