Traditional Deep Seated Armchairs
Traditional deep seated armchairs are substantial upholstered seats designed for heavy lounging, surfacing here in forms ranging from Victorian library chairs to Edwardian country house styles.
Traditional Deep Seated Armchairs
Traditional deep seated armchairs encompass heavy lounge furniture built primarily during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. When searching for traditional deep seated armchairs, buyers encounter diverse forms such as low club chairs, button-backed library seats, and generous country house armchairs.
The pieces appearing on this page span Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods, alongside specific regional variations like Scottish country house armchairs. These seats often feature low profiles and expansive proportions intended for comfortable, prolonged seating.
Many examples follow established workshop traditions, including Howard and Sons designs and Regency-inspired frames. Buyers frequently find pairs or single large armchairs upholstered in leather, fabric, calico, or hessian.
How they were made
The construction of traditional deep seated armchairs relies on sturdy timber frames shaped from mahogany, walnut, rosewood, and general wood. These structural skeletons support deep padding traditionally filled with materials such as feathers to achieve the characteristic sink-in comfort.
Upholstery techniques vary across the periods, incorporating outer coverings of leather, fabric, calico, and hessian. Exposed wooden elements often feature brass details, while specific seating designs integrate split cane panels or button-backed finishing.
Current listings feature timber frames in mahogany, walnut, and rosewood, alongside upholstery in leather, calico, hessian, and standard fabric.
What varies in quality
Quality in traditional deep seated armchairs rests on the integrity of the underlying timber frame and the precision of the joinery. Sturdier internal construction from hardwoods like mahogany and walnut provides better longevity than lesser framing.
The execution of the upholstery and the choice of stuffing materials distinguish finer workshop pieces from standard seating. Examples bearing recognised maker attribution or superior leather and feather filling represent the upper echelon of the range.
Howard and Sons·Gillows·SF Cullen
The Traditional Deep Seated Armchairs Glossary
- Bergere
- An upholstered armchair with an enclosed wooden frame where the sides typically feature cane work. This French-inspired form appears frequently in early twentieth-century pieces.
- Library chair
- A heavy, often leather-upholstered armchair designed for reading rooms in large houses. These pieces usually date from the nineteenth century and emphasise sturdy arm support.
- Club chair
- A deep, low-slung armchair traditionally upholstered in leather. These sturdy seats emerged strongly during the early twentieth century in English and Swedish variants.
- Button back
- An upholstery style where depressions are formed in the padding by pulling buttons deep into the stuffing. This method secures the interior filling while creating a geometric pattern.
- Wing back
- An armchair featuring protective side panels attached to the backrest. These extensions originally deflected draughts in older domestic interiors.
Traditional Deep Seated Armchairs: Frequently Asked Questions
What defines a traditional deep seated armchair?
Traditional deep seated armchairs are characterised by generous proportions, low profiles, and heavy cushioning designed for relaxation.
They appear across nineteenth and twentieth-century styles, including Victorian library chairs and Edwardian country house seating.
How do I identify a Howard style armchair?
Howard style armchairs typically feature low, rolled arms, deep proportions, and specific turned wooden legs often fitted with brass castors.
Many original pieces also bear maker stamps on the castors or webbing.
Are leather club chairs comfortable?
Leather club chairs offer deep, supportive seating constructed with extensive internal padding and sturdy wooden frames.
Over decades of use, the leather softens significantly while retaining its structural integrity.
What is a country house armchair?
Country house armchairs are oversized, heavily upholstered seats designed for comfort rather than formal display.
They frequently appear in nineteenth and early twentieth-century contexts with loose feather filling and deep seats.