Information on Antique Arm Chairs

A fauteuil armchair is an upholstered chair with open sides.

The armchair was developed in the 1700s. As society changed, the armchair was created for comfort and entertainment. It reflected the style and politics of its time.

History

Wing chairs are designed to have a place to rest your head.

Four main types or forms of antique armchairs were developed in the 1700s and 1800s. The Fauteuil, Bergere, wing chair and corner armchairs brought form to the style and development of antique armchairs.

Form

Fauteuil is an upholstered armchair with open arms. The Bergere is similar, except the side arms are panel-covered. The Wing chair has broad sides to rest the head, and the corner chair made way for the design of the Windsor chair.

Style

Each form of armchair was designed from era to era with different style characteristics. Victorian, Gothic, Queen Anne, Rococo, Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Neoclassical are just a few of the style eras that changed the look of the basic forms.

References

• "Antique Investigator"; Judith Miller; 2007
• "Understanding Antiques"; Judith and Martin Miller; 1998
• "Chairs Through the Ages: A Pictorial Archive of Woodcuts & Engravings (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)"; Pam Pollack; 1982