Antique Parlor Chairs

• Victorian Parlor Chairs

One characteristic of Victorian parlors was the extreme ornamentation. The Victorian parlor chair is no exception. The wide seats are constructed to allow ladies to manage their skirts, which might include bustles or crinolines, while the straight backs encouraged excellent posture. the back styles might vary, but many were ornamented with elaborate carving above the oval backrest. The arms were curved and delicate, as were the legs.

• Louis XVIII French Parlor Chairs

The French parlor chairs were no less elaborate than the English but were more squarely built. The arms were wide rather than delicate, and the legs uncompromisingly upright and uniform in size from the foot to the seat. They, too, had wide seats to accommodate elaborate dress, and the seats and backs were frequently embroidered.

• Wing-Back Parlor Chairs

Not all of the chairs were delicate occasional chairs. Wing-back chairs were often found grouped on either side of a fireplace, or toward the ends of a sofa or love seat. Compared to today’s buildings, many homes were drafty places. A winged back helped to block drafts and was ideal for capturing heat. Even today, a wing-back chair makes a cozy place to relax. Add a nice footstool, a heated throw and pillow and a nap could definitely happen.

• Sofas and Loveseats

Sofas and loveseats often had structures similar to the occasional chairs, with the curved legs for the Victorian parlor, or the uncompromising stance of the French furniture. The seats were deep, although perhaps not as long as the modern couch, and the back upholstery was tufted. The upholstery might vary, ranging from woven tapestry to stiff horsehair.

• Chippendale and Neoclassical

As might be expected, in Thirteen Colonies in North America, the wealthier colonists imitated their British counterparts. Neoclassical styles that drew heavily upon the classical Greek and Roman styles were highly favored, as were designs by Thomas Chippendale. Upholstery might be leather or a heavy damask.

• Empire Style

Empire style parlor chairs traded heavily upon the neoclassical. But instead of the more delicate arms, they might have armrests that resembled the paws of a lion, or they might look like the long, delicate neck of a swan. Silk damasks were highly favored for upholstery. Some of the carved arms might even have been gilded.

• Edwardian Era Parlor Chairs

By the Edwardian era, 1900-1950, parlors were being phased out in favor of dining rooms and living rooms, both of which were more geared toward family life than formal entertaining. The dining room chairs drew heavily on the heritage of the occasional chairs, with their upholstered seats and backs, delicate legs and arms.