Traditional High Back Chair
A traditional high back chair offers commanding presence and solid support, drawing on centuries of vernacular and formal woodworking traditions.
Traditional High Back Chair
A traditional high back chair encompasses a range of seating from imposing upholstered wingback designs to sturdy provincial Windsors. These pieces span the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, alongside revival styles and Edwardian iterations.
The version most commonly encountered in these listings is the high-backed Windsor or vernacular armchair, frequently constructed from regional timbers like elm and ash. Alongside these sit formal Georgian and Victorian wing armchairs, often upholstered in leather or fabric.
Materials and Construction
Makers utilised native hardwoods such as oak, mahogany, walnut, elm, and ash, selecting specific timbers for structural rigidity and turned components. Solid wood frames rely on pegged joints, steam-bent hoops, and traditional joinery rather than modern adhesives.
Upholstered forms incorporate internal webbing and feather filling beneath coverings of leather, velvet, or patterned textiles. High backs require careful engineering to support the extended height without compromising stability at the seat junction.
Many high back settles doubled as indoor windbreaks in country pubs, hoarding the warmth from the hearth for whoever sat closest.
Assessing Quality and Execution
Quality rests in the integrity of the timber selection, such as richly figured mahogany or beautifully grained elm seats, and the crispness of turned spindles and legs. Superior examples retain their original structural members without extensive timber replacement.
Proportion and stance dictate the visual success of the piece, particularly in high-backed forms where an awkward rake or heavy crest rail disrupts the silhouette. Finer pieces demonstrate confident joinery and subtle carving that reward close inspection.
The Traditional High Back Chair Glossary
- Comb back
- A Windsor chair variation where the central spindles extend up to form a horizontal crest rail resembling the teeth of a comb.
- Windsor
- A chair built with a solid wooden seat into which the legs and back spindles are directly bored and wedged.
- Settle
- A wooden bench featuring a high solid back designed to block draughts, frequently incorporating box storage beneath the seat.
- Carver
- An armchair, often designed en suite with a set of matching dining chairs for the head of the table.
- Wingback
- An upholstered armchair with side panels or wings attached to the arms and back, originally designed to shield the sitter from draughts.
Traditional High Back Chair: Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes a Windsor from a wing chair?
A Windsor chair is constructed from turned wooden spindles fitted into a solid timber seat, offering an open frame and durable vernacular form.
In contrast, a wing chair is fully upholstered with padded wings designed to retain heat from a fireplace and protect the sitter from draughts.
How do I care for antique leather upholstery?
Antique leather requires gentle cleaning with a damp cloth and periodic treatment with appropriate conservation balms to prevent cracking.
Keep these chairs away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve the suppleness and natural colour of the hide.
Can I use a high back armchair for daily dining?
Many high back chairs, including carvers and side chairs from dining sets, are structurally suited for regular seating around a table.
Larger upholstered wing chairs function better as fireside or reading seats due to their deeper proportions and lower seat heights.