Traditional Upholstered Club Chairs
Traditional upholstered club chairs offer deep proportions and generous seating, bringing centuries of English and continental craft into the sitting room.
Traditional Upholstered Club Chairs
Traditional upholstered club chairs comprise deep seated armchairs and library chairs designed for comfort and ease. When searching for traditional upholstered club chairs, buyers encounter pieces originating primarily from the nineteenth century, the Victorian era, and the Edwardian period.
Frames demonstrate considerable variety in scale, ranging from oversized open armchairs to compact walnut framed bergere easy chairs. Many examples exhibit specific regional or stylistic traits like the Grafton style, Bridgewater style, or French revival influences.
How they were made
Upholstery techniques utilise traditional foundational materials such as hessian and calico beneath top coverings of leather, velvet, and various fabrics. Brass detailing frequently appears on castors and tacking, whilst split cane panels define specific bergere and library forms.
The inventory spans the Victorian and Edwardian periods alongside Regency and nineteen thirties revivals.
What varies in quality
Quality rests significantly upon the integrity of the timber frame and the depth of the proportions. Heavy, well proportioned frames from established workshops command greater attention than lighter, derivative pieces.
The execution of the upholstery and the choice of surface materials mark the distinction between standard examples and top tier pieces. Original framing paired with sympathetic recovered finishes or preserved leather and velvet demonstrates superior craftsmanship.
Howard and Sons·Whytock and Reid·Morris and Co·Hampton and Sons
The Traditional Upholstered Club Chairs Glossary
- Bergere
- An upholstered armchair with enclosed sides, typically featuring cane work panels. This form gained prominence during the eighteenth century and remained popular through later revivals.
- Hessian
- A coarse woven fabric, traditionally made from jute fibres, utilised as a foundational lining and support layer beneath outer upholstery. It provides durability for internal stuffing.
- Calico
- A plain woven cotton fabric used as an underlying layer to contain stuffing and shape the contours of the chair before applying the final decorative textile. It ensures a smooth exterior profile.
- Library armchair
- A sturdy, deep seated chair designed for reading rooms, often framed in mahogany or oak with leather or heavy fabric upholstery. These pieces prioritise ergonomic support for extended sitting.
- Tub chair
- An armchair featuring a rounded continuous back and armrest structure, creating a curved enclosure. Edwardian examples frequently utilise walnut framing for this compact form.
Traditional Upholstered Club Chairs: Frequently Asked Questions
What defines a traditional club chair?
Traditional club chairs are characterised by deep, generous seating proportions and substantial padded armrests designed for relaxation.
They typically feature robust wooden frames concealed beneath layers of traditional upholstery materials like hessian, calico, and leather or fabric.
How do I identify a Victorian armchair?
Victorian armchairs often display darker hardwoods such as mahogany and oak, frequently paired with buttoned leather, heavy velvet, or traditional patterned textiles.
Construction from this era tends towards heavy, solid framing with ornate carved details or aesthetic movement influences depending on the exact decade.
What is a country house armchair?
Country house armchairs are exceptionally deep seated, comfortable chairs originally styled for relaxed domestic lounging in large English estates.
They prioritise unpretentious comfort and generous proportions over formal rigidity, often wearing loose fabric covers or worn leather.
Where were bergere chairs used?
Bergere chairs served as elegant seating in libraries, withdrawing rooms, and drawing rooms where lighter framework was desired.
The inclusion of cane panels on the arms and back provided an airy aesthetic distinct from fully upholstered club chairs.