Antique Upholstered Occasional Chairs (late 19th Century and early 20th century)
CHAIRS upholstered, occasional
The turn of the century saw an onslaught of a type of chair, neither for dining nor for long-term comfortable seating, which is aptly named ‘occasional’. They were made in a variety of styles and we show a selection on these pages which cover most of the normal types. Rather than dwell individually on the stylistic origins of each chair, we are sure that our well-informed readers will derive pleasure from identifying the chairs on these three pages for themselves. The principal characteristic of most of them is their spindly nature, a surety that, were they to be used more than occasionally, they would suffer from damage. 1900-1920
CHAIRS upholstered, reproductions
Upholstered chairs clearly were produced to meet the demands of fashion like any other furniture. By the end of the 19th century most types of 18th century and earlier design were being produced. Some of these chairs were very well made and are now quite difficult to distinguish from the originals; others are not so successful.
A ‘French Hepplewhite’ chair of high quality made in a dark mahogany. Every edge appears to be carved with gadrooning and the legs and arm supports are carved with leaves. It is very close to an 18th century chair, probably an exact copy taken from a genuine original. One can see how this design, given a little more rococo eccentricity, can become the open-armed spoon back of mid-Victorian taste. 1880-1900
A painted armchair with caned seat and back, again in a ‘Hepplewhite’ design but with other 18th century connotations. Designed for drawing room use. 1910-1920
Not upholstered at all, but a good example of a ‘wainscot’ chair in oak emulating a mid-17th century design. The carving on the back, shaping of the arms and frieze under the seat proclaim its modernity apart from colour and method of construction, of course.
A perennially popular armchair (look at any modern reproduction catalogue) in the square-legged `Chippendale’ style with curved arm supports and fully upholstered back. From a catalogue of 1910.
1900-present day
Depending on condition and material covering
An upholstered walnut arm chair in the style of the last quarter of the 17th century. Made in the 1920s and featured in Maurice Adams’ book on furniture. c. 1926
The bergere, or caned, armchair was a popular type from about 1900 well into the 1930s and has never really died. These oak and mahogany versions are derived from similar chairs of the late 18th and early 19th century except that the oak version has been `Jacobeanised’ by the use of bobbin turning. 1900-1930
Left, chair oak version settee oak version.
Right, chair mahogany version settee mahogany version.
CHAIRS upholstered, arm and easy, 1890-1930
A mixed bag of chairs for leisure. It is not quite clear when the fully upholstered ‘lounge’ chair came about: probably from the 1870s onwards, when manufacturers’ catalogues start to show them.
An armchair with inlaid decoration of the type usually associated with `Edwardian Sheraton’ furniture. The circular design of the chair is fairly typical of the Victorian period, and the front legs with their collars and fluted treatment also follow the turns that later 19th century manufacturers appear to have found irresistible. 1880-1890
An armchair showing again the return to 18th century designs. In this case the legs show a Sheraton influence, particularly in the stringing and cross banding of the seat rail. 1890-1900
Six wing easy chairs from a catalogue of C.1910.
Depending on material and condition
Six more armchairs from the same catalogue of c.1900, showing two surprisingly `1920s’ looking chairs with wooden arms and supports (bottom row left and centre) and bottom right a rocking chair. Rocking chair
Easy chair and settee from Maurice Adams, 1926. Out of date for some years but now coming back.
Easy chair, depending on material and condition
Two more easy chairs from Maurice Adams, 1926. The right-hand one is of little interest but the left-hand caned ‘berg&re’ chair is of a type very popular in the 1930s.
Tags: 17th century, 18th century, ARMCHAIR, CHAIRS, chippendale style, high quality, mahogany, original, upholstered chairs, wainscot