Sell and Buy Vintage Antiques

Antique Armchairs

Adding an antique armchair to your living room can be just the finishing touch you need. It is amazing that something as simple as a chair can have such a fabulous history. In the long span of historical epochs, furniture pieces have evolved. From the simple and utilitarian, they have been adorned with the most intricate of details and enhanced by flamboyant silhouettes and rich, heavily patterned fabrics. The wooden klismos chair of ancient Egypt was adapted by the French Regency period into a dainty upholstered chair. Fast forward to the 21st century, the well-known klismos chair took on a contemporary form with fully upholstered seat and sleek bended wood backrest however, innovations didn’t stop there, an entire chair made of mirror polished stainless steel was designed. Modern designs should be adored for their creative adaptation of the classic styles of long ago. The original designs however, should be revered for their excellent representations of significant and unforgettable eras of the past.

It is marvelous to travel through time and experience what people before us have touched, tasted, smelled, heard and saw. The sight of a magnificent Victorian balloon armchair in front of the fireplace in your living room at night sparks nostalgic emotions and remembrance of the past that fascinated your interest. Furniture pieces that we consider antiques today have enjoyed a vivid presence at the time when they were first made. That is not to say that they haven’t been bequeathed similar adorations from people today, but they have a completely different appeal now. A new aura has enveloped their repeated emergence in our abodes and in our lives. We have welcomed antique armchairs into our contemporary living rooms and bedrooms as guests who have outstanding and highly noticeable appearances.

The most recognizable antique armchairs have found their way in collectors’ homes and even in ordinary people’s houses wherein the owners have the penchant for all things old and grandiose. Some of these armchairs are too difficult to come by especially if you have set your eyes on the rare ones. You can source through antique shops in your neighborhood or browse for them on furniture websites on the internet. Perhaps, the missing piece to your elegant living room is the presence of a classic fully-upholstered neoclassic armchair with regal architectural columnar legs or it could be one of the historical antique armchairs defined below.

Rococo
The graceful bergeres of the Rococo period are great finds for a contemporary living room with a classic touch. They have feminine carved frame and legs with light colored upholstery fabric that have a posh and classy appearance. Rococo bergeres have close armrest while their fauteuil counterpart have open and exposed arms that are usually padded with the same upholstery fabric as the seat and back cushion. What makes Rococo armchairs successfully adapt with interiors of the present is their subtle floral and abstract patterned upholstery, sinuous feminine carvings and their accommodating seat shape that can embrace the body with utmost comfort and ease. Their refined appearance brings a romantic charisma to a simple and modern interior space.

Queen Anne
The distinguishing design of Queen Anne armchairs is the slat back style of the backrest. They can be horizontal slats but the most common ones have one vertical slat in the middle with a vase-shaped form. These armchairs can be used in the dining room as functional dining chairs or they can be placed in the living room as accents and corner armchairs. The famous Queen Anne wing chair with fully upholstered seats and cabriole legs that have ball-and-claw foot design is a comfortable and luxurious piece suitable for the living room or the library.

The appearance of Windsor chairs also happened during the Queen Anne period. These armchairs are made from wood and their seats are shaped like saddles. The legs have turning designs and they are positioned in such a way that they slant outwards for better stability. You cannot mistake them for any other furniture type because of their identifiable turned spindle designs that line their back up to their armrests. They are suitable for country style kitchens and dining areas.

Victorian
The characteristics of Victorian chairs are best depicted in their balloon-shaped backs and curvilinear legs. They have elaborate carvings and full and overstuffed upholstery that are comforting and sinfully luxurious to lounge in. Victorian armchairs are sought after for their soft velvet upholstery, strategically tufted cushions and regally feminine appearance. Their fabrics possess the most vibrant of colors with royal purple, deep red, and dark brown. They are beautiful accent pieces in living rooms and functional lounge chairs in private libraries and bedrooms.

Chippendale
The armchairs of the Chippendale period have Chinese, Rococo and Gothic elements combined. They have fretworks and Chinese motifs such as pagoda, scrolls, monkeys and dragons in their backs and legs. The Gothic influences were carved motifs such as rosettes, flowers and arches. The prominent designs for the backs are splat, ribbon patterns and tracery. The fabrics used in upholstery included leather, velvet and brocade. These Chippendale armchair designs being the result of cultural fusions will lend a unique appeal to any interior that will be their home.

Adam, Hepplewhite and Sheraton
The three types of furniture pieces were named after their respective designers. They were designed during the Late Georgian period following Chippendale. Adam armchairs tended to be based on Classical Italian designs with festoons, honeysuckle and fret adornments on the back of the chairs. The chair legs were slender and they had the famous spade design for the feet. The Hepplewhite armchairs were smaller versions of the Adam’s and they have shield, interlacing heart, camel and oval backs. For the Sheraton chairs, straight lines were enforced on the legs and back but they were made with intricate motifs such as swags, vases, and urns. The backs can be distinguished from Adam and Hepplewhite creations because they were straight and rectangular. The legs had fluted vertical lines with round turned feet. The fabric used in Sheraton armchairs was commonly striped damask in subdued colors.