How do I adjust the height on these chairs?

Most walnut revolving chairs and piano stools adjust via a central wooden or metal screw mechanism hidden beneath the seat. Turning the seat clockwise or anticlockwise raises or lowers the height. Older Victorian and William IV examples rely on threaded spindles that require manual rotation of the entire upper portion until the desired seating level is achieved.

Were these chairs originally meant for desks or music rooms?

They were made for both purposes, which explains the variety in their forms. Stools with rise and fall mechanisms served piano players, harpists, and chapel organists. Those with arms and leather upholstery functioned as captains' chairs, library seats, and office desk chairs for writing and administrative work.

How can I tell a Victorian walnut chair from an Edwardian one?

Victorian examples often feature heavier carved walnut frames, elaborate pedestals, tripod bases, and deep buttoned leather or velvet upholstery. They frequently date from the mid to late nineteenth century. Edwardian pieces, emerging around the turn of the twentieth century, tend to display lighter Arts and Crafts influences with simpler lines and less ornamental carving.

How do I care for the leather and walnut?

Walnut benefits from occasional application of natural wax to nourish the grain and protect the polished surface from drying out. Avoid placing the timber in direct sunlight. Leather upholstery should be treated gently with specialist leather conditioners to preserve flexibility and prevent cracking across the seat surface.