About Antique Chair Types
Antique chair types have had a long history. Use of chairs signified many things over time, such as the social status of the sitter. Functions produced slight variations and, though made in the same basic plan, shifts in the style and features of antique chair types have changed as well.
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History
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Common people did not use chairs until the 16th century. Prior to this time, reserving chairs for religious figures and the nobility was the norm. By the 17th century, chairs were upholstered and comfort was becoming as important as function. The 19th century saw the first mass-produced chairs.
Significance
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Before the 16th century, having a chair signified the person was of a high rank, either in the government or religion. For many years, common people sat on stools or benches. During the 19th century, it was common to display wealth with the amount of objects placed into the parlor, the room in which guests were entertained. The ability to purchase more chairs signified how mass production was making furniture more affordable for the masses.
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Function
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The function of a chair is a place to sit. For hundreds of years, this practical use did not lend itself as much to comfort or style. After the 16th century, the function of chairs spread to sitting on upholstered chairs that were much more comfortable than the wooden seats used previously.
Features
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Chairs are stools with backs. Made with some kind of support holding a sitting surface up with some kind of a back, chairs are usually made from wood or metal, with upholstery often in just the seat areas. A chair may or may not have armrests. Armless chairs were common when women wore large skirts so they could have space to sit down.
Types
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There is a variety of antique chair types. The wainscot chair, of the 17th century was made of oak and had a straight high back. After this time, chairs changec to fit the style of the periods. Created after the wainscot, the Windsor is still a popular dining room table chair today. These chairs led to many different styles and types of chairs such as the Queen Anne or the Hepplewhite chair.
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Resources
- Photo Credit M. Kaye Hash
