Antique Seating
From stately Georgian wingback armchairs to deep-buttoned Victorian Chesterfields, antique seating offers comfort, craftsmanship and style in equal measure. Our dealers stock armchairs, side chairs, sofas, settees, chaise longues, stools, window seats and benches spanning three centuries of upholstered and non-upholstered designs.
Oak, mahogany, walnut and beech frames, sprung and stuffed seats, hand-stitched leather and needlepoint upholstery: these are pieces built to be sat in and enjoyed for generations.
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Carved Mahogany Chaise Longue
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Superb Quality Antique Early Victorian Ornate Cast Iron Garden Seat
Unusual Antique Victorian Inlaid Mahogany Armchair
Unusual Antique Chinese Armchair
Pair of Antique Victorian Quality Carved Walnut Side Chairs
Outstanding Camel Backed Mahogany Sofa
Pair French Silver Gilt Elbow Chairs
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Antique Quality Victorian Pair of Carved Oak Side/Hall Chairs
Unusual 18th Century Antique Oak Ladder Back Rocking Chair
Superb Quality Carved Walnut Antique Victorian Ladies Chair
Pair of Antique Victorian Quality Carved Rosewood Side Chairs
Pair of Antique George III Quality Mahogany Side Chairs
Pair of Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Hall Chairs
Pair of Antique Regency Quality Carved Mahogany Hall Chairs
Exhibition Quality Antique Victorian Carved Walnut 9 Piece Suite
Outstanding Quality Pair of Antique Victorian Carved Walnut Ladies and Gentlemen’s Chairs
Pair of Antique Regency Carved Figured Mahogany Side Chairs
French Gilt Two Seat Sofa
French Gilt Two Seat Sofa
Super Oak Monks Hall Bench
Finding the Right Antique Chair
Comfort is entirely personal, so sit in a chair before you buy if you possibly can. A Georgian wing armchair that looks magnificent may not suit someone who is six foot four, while a low Victorian nursing chair might be exactly what a smaller person needs. Seat height, depth and back angle all matter, and antique chairs cover the full range.
Construction is the critical factor in longevity. Check that the frame is solid by lifting the chair slightly and feeling for movement. Loose joints should be professionally re-glued; this is a routine repair and not a reason to avoid a piece. Beech frames are common and perfectly serviceable, though mahogany and walnut are more desirable.
Upholstery Choices
Many antique chairs benefit from re-upholstering. Traditional upholstery using horsehair, calico and webbing gives the most authentic result and lasts longest. Modern foam is quicker and cheaper but doesn't breathe as well and has a different feel. Leather, if original and in good condition, is worth preserving; new leather develops its own patina over time.
The fabric you choose for re-covering transforms the character of a piece. A Georgian camelback sofa looks formal in silk damask and relaxed in linen. A Victorian button-back chair suits both rich velvet and contemporary plain fabrics. Don't feel constrained by period conventions; mix old frames with modern textiles for a look that feels fresh and personal.
Sofas and Larger Pieces
Chesterfield sofas, with their distinctive deep-buttoned leather upholstery, are the most recognised form of antique seating. Genuine Victorian and Edwardian examples have a depth of character that modern reproductions cannot replicate. Drop-arm Knole sofas, Howard-style armchairs and Regency scroll-end sofas are all worth exploring if you're furnishing a sitting room with antiques.