Burr Walnut Brown Leather Regency Metamorphic Reading Armchair To Library Steps

£5,850 per set of 2 -10%
Service fee applied at checkout
Pulborough, United Kingdom
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Dimensions
W 60 cm
x
H 89 cm
x
D 57.5 cm
Wear Condition
Wear conditions

Good

Material

Walnut, Leather

Style

Antique, British Antiques

Product Details

Description

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this pair of large and collectable Regency style metamorphic armchair which converts into Library steps after the original 18th century design by Gillows of Lancaster with Burr Walnut panels

A very good looking and well made pair, I have never seen a Regency style piece with Burr Walnut panels before, the leather seat pads have been restored by my leather polishers, they have been hand dyed six times, antiqued and sealed

The period 1800-1825 was a great one for ‘patent’ or ‘metamorphic’ furniture This chair, which transforms into a short set of steps for use with bookshelves, is close to a design for a ‘Library Chair’ published in Rudolph Ackermann’s Repository of the Arts in July 1811, which was made by the London firm of Morgan and Saunders, of Catherine Street, Strand.

They were well known for their ingenious furniture, including reading chairs with writing surfaces attached and a great variety of travelling beds that could pack down into boxes. The form of the chair, which revives a design of the early 18th century, is based on a design for an armchair created by the firm of Gillows of Lancaster

Condition wise the timber is in good period condition, it will have some age and use related patina marks here and there, we have cleaned waxed and polished them from top to botton

Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask

Any questions please feel free to ask before you bid

Price for set.

Condition report:

Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description pertaining to the condition. Please also ask any questions before you bid and not after, all of our items are sold as seen and as listed

Royal House Antiques cannot be held liable for any independent assumptions made regarding the items we sell, if you are unsure on any point, please feel free to ask for clarity

Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of creasing and wear, we recommend annual waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade

Additional dimensions information:

Height:- 74.5cm Width:- 60cm Depth:- 92cm

Material
Leather, Walnut
Manufactured
Unknown
Style
Antique, British Antiques
Item location
Pulborough , United Kingdom
Period
18th Century and Earlier
Designer
Ackermann
Brand
Unknown
Condition
Refurbished
Professional Seller
Top seller
4.9 (30 reviews)
Vinterior since 2017 • Read reviews

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Reviews

4.9

Based on 30 reviews

5 stars
(28)
4 stars
(1)
3 stars
(1)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(0)
Alan 27 Jun 2025
Item exactly as described and looks great insitu
Tercel 07 Feb 2025
Delighted - product as described and delivered quickly using an excellent courier.

Wear conditions

Excellent

Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.

Good

May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.

Average

Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.

Apparent Wear and Tear

Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.

Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.

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Last updated: 12/02/2026

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  • Free return if the item isn't as described.
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    Applies to furniture with a final selling price of up to £5,000 (excluding delivery and service fees) and delivered from a UK mainland seller to a mainland UK address. Excludes Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly.
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