{"id":88941,"date":"2022-11-02T10:23:45","date_gmt":"2022-11-02T10:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vinterior.co\/blog\/?p=88941"},"modified":"2022-11-02T10:12:48","modified_gmt":"2022-11-02T10:12:48","slug":"antique-chair-styles-and-how-to-find-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vinterior.co\/blog\/behind-the-design\/the-history-of\/antique-chair-styles-and-how-to-find-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Antique Chair Styles and How to Identify Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Just as history is long, there is an endless array of<\/span> antique chairs<\/span><\/a> to choose from. While an article covering every type of antique chair would be pretty long, we\u2019ve aimed to give you a quick, yet detailed, a summary of some of the most iconic and eclectic. We’ll also touch on a few common antique chair designers whose iconic antique style has influenced modern-day furniture design and let you know how to identify the maker and age of any antique chair.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

How to tell the age of an antique chair<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

One of the harder things to get right, unless you\u2019re a knowledgeable dealer, is how to tell the age of an antique chair. Luckily for those of us who aren\u2019t in the trade, there are a few failsafe ways to tell the age of an antique chair.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Look for markings on an antique chair<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

You can get an indication of when a piece was made by looking at the markings of the manufacturer on<\/span> antique chairs<\/b><\/a>. Often located on the underside of a chair frame or even beneath the upholstery, furniture makers\u2019 marks were typically carved or burned into the wood. Marking in this way, just out of sight, was common practice throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, so that branding would not interrupt the intricate designs of the eras.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Many antique furniture makers would also use paper or metal labels on their finished pieces. However, finding these can be hard, as the labels may have worn or peeled off with time. Additionally, you may even find dates indicating what year a piece was manufactured. Helping you to identify when an antique wooden chair was made.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Check the construction of a piece<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

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Image: Unupholstered Napoleon III chairs demonstrating antique chair joinery. Vinterior Seller: <\/span>Nikki Page Antiques<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n

The construction of antique chairs is also very useful in identifying their age and their validity. It is more likely to find complex<\/span> hand-made joints<\/span><\/a>. Dovetail joints were highly popular throughout the late 17th and early 18th centuries, which would indicate a very old piece indeed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In addition, another clue in construction is symmetry. After the industrial revolution, symmetrical furniture became more common thanks to precision cut pieces being machine manufactured. Handmade antique chairs would have an asymmetry, and this would give you a better indication that the piece is older.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Checking materials to identify an antique chair<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

We can often tell the age of a chair by the materials used. Depending on the period your antique chair was made during, you\u2019ll often find that certain woods were used in abundance. For example, oak in the early Georgian period, mahogany throughout the late-Georgian and Victorian eras, and ebonised beech towards the end of the 19th century.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Other indicators of the age and authenticity of an antique chair can be materials in seat fillings, coverings, and finishing materials. It would be very unlikely to find modern-day screws in an antique piece or more recent material such as plastic, Formica and chrome.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Who are the best antique chair designers?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Colloquially known as \u201cThe Big Three\u201d, Thomas Chippendale, Thomas Sheraton, and George Hepplewhite are a few common antique chair designers. We’ve also added William Morris to the mix, because of his renowned contributions to the Arts and Crafts Movement. Below are some of the key characteristics of these designers.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Thomas Chippendale\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

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Image: Ball and Claw Foot chairs by Thomas Chippendale. Vinterior Seller: <\/span>Exclusive Furniture Wimbledon<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n

Thomas Chippendale is lauded as a significant figure in antique furniture design. His iconic publication, \u2018<\/span>The Gentleman and Cabinet-Makers\u2019 Director<\/span><\/i>\u2019,\u00a0 allowed many people to commission pieces of his furniture. In addition, it was a template for carpenters to replicate his works.<\/span> Chippendale chairs<\/span><\/a> remain a favourite amongst antique chair styles. His influence on furniture design held into the late Victorian and Early Edwardian periods. Characteristics specific to Chippendale\u2019s antique chairs include:<\/span><\/p>\r\n