Traditional Tub Armchair
A traditional tub armchair offers a low-slung, curved back designed for comfort, emerging here across Victorian and Edwardian iterations.
Traditional Tub Armchair
A traditional tub armchair encompasses low-backed seating designed for study and library use, frequently encountered in this inventory as nineteenth-century or Edwardian captain's chairs, smoker's bows, and corner armchairs. Buyers searching for a traditional tub armchair will find sturdy wooden frames alongside leather club seats originating from English country houses and continental workshops.
Materials and Technique
Makers utilised native timbers including elm, ash, oak, and beech for structural frames and bentwood elements, combining steam-bending techniques for continuous curved arm rails with traditional joinery. Turnings and spindle backs provide structural support while maintaining the characteristic low profile of the seating.
Upholstered variants incorporate leather and woven fabric applied over supportive padding, often secured with brass tacking. Selected models integrate revolving mechanisms in mahogany and oak for functional office use.
The inventory combines swivel desk chairs, French club armchairs, and Windsor-derived smoker's bows.
Craftsmanship and Material Depth
Superior examples display an honest patination on solid timbers like elm and golden mahogany, accumulated through decades of domestic or library use. The integration of steam-bent continuous arm rails demonstrates high competency in shaping tough woods without stress fractures.
Refined joinery and substantial timber gauge distinguish fine library chairs from utility desk seating. The quality of stitched leather upholstery and the integrity of underlying frame construction separate standard workshop output from exceptional country house pieces.
Howard and Sons
The Traditional Tub Armchair Glossary
- Captain's Chair
- A low-backed wooden armchair featuring a rounded spindle rail supported by pillars above the seat. These chairs originated in offices and captain's quarters.
- Smoker's Bow
- A sturdy vernacular wooden armchair with a low curved back and thick arm rails. This form is closely related to the Windsor tradition.
- Tub Armchair
- An upholstered or wooden seat with a continuous curved backrest wrapping around to form low arms. The enclosing shape resembles a half-barrel.
- Bergère
- An enclosed armchair with wooden framing and cane or upholstered sides and back. This French style gained popularity in various nineteenth-century adaptations.
- Patina
- The surface sheen and colour developed on wood and leather over long periods of handling and age. This quality indicates genuine historical use.
Traditional Tub Armchair: Frequently Asked Questions
How were captain's chairs used?
Captain's chairs functioned primarily as sturdy desk and office seating in studies, libraries, and institutional settings. Their low backs allowed freedom of movement while providing side support.
Over time, many migrated into domestic country houses as general elbow seats or fireside companions.
How do I care for leather tub chairs?
Leather tub chairs require regular dusting with a soft, dry cloth and occasional application of appropriate leather balms to maintain flexibility. Keeping them away from direct heat sources prevents the hide from drying and cracking.
Gentle cleaning preserves the natural patina accumulated over decades of use.
How can I date an antique armchair?
Dating relies on observing timber choices, construction methods, and hardware such as brass fixings or swivel mechanisms. Victorian and Edwardian examples often display distinct turning styles and wood selections like golden mahogany or elm.
Comparing the joinery details against documented periods helps establish an approximate decade of manufacture.