What defines an Art Deco armchair?

Art Deco armchairs from the 1930s utilise streamlined geometric forms, club chair proportions and exotic woods like satin birch. They depart heavily from ornate Victorian carving in favour of smooth, sweeping lines. Makers of this era focused on clean visual comfort, frequently pairing luxurious fabrics with rounded frames suited to modern lounge spaces.

How do I identify a Howard and Sons armchair?

Howard and Sons chairs typically exhibit deep-seated comfort, low wooden legs with brass castors, and careful proportions. Many pieces from this tradition feature specific maker stamps or characteristic upholstery styling. Later makers frequently copied these comfortable English country house forms, creating pieces in the established Howard style.

What is a bergere chair?

A bergere is a framed armchair featuring woven cane panels along the backrest and arm sides. This French-derived design provides a lighter visual presence while maintaining structural rigidity. Walnut and oak frames frequently support these cane sections, often accompanied by loose seat cushions filled with feathers.

Are wingback armchairs strictly Victorian?

Wingback chairs span multiple centuries, originating long before the Victorian era and continuing through the 19th and early 20th centuries. Victorian examples often incorporate buttoned upholstery and walnut or mahogany frames. Earlier Regency and Georgian iterations display different leg turnings and wood selections while maintaining the protective side wings.