History of the Slipper Chair

Slipper chairs are popular accent furniture.

Originally defined as a small bedroom chair, the slipper chair has slowly made its way into the rest of the home. Throughout the last three centuries, it has evolved from a fussy boudoir decoration to a contemporary accent chair.

First Slipper Chairs

The first slipper chair dates back to the Queen Ann era---the first half of the 18th century. The chair featured an upholstered seat and back and cabriolet legs, which are curved and typically feature a pad foot.

Styles

Innovations in chair making during the 19th century led to slipper chairs in a variety of Victorian styles, including Gothic Revival, Rococo, Renaissance Revival and Greco-Egyptian Revival.

Function

The original slipper chair was designed to help Victorian women dress. The chairs allowed women to sit lower to the ground, making it easier to bend down to put on shoes and stockings.

Profile

The slipper chair is known for clean lines and a graceful, armless profile. The low seat and wider base are perfect for lounging.

Height

The base of the slipper chair is typically around 15 inches high, rather than the more typical 17 to 18 inch height of traditional chairs.

References

• Your Antique Furniture Guide: Queen Ann Style Furniture
• Fine Woodworking: History of Chairs