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 Antique Gothic Victorian Steeple Throne Chair Walnut 655 IN Tall One of 2 $399.99 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 42m Buy It Now for only: $399.99 |
 ANTIQUE SET of 10 WALNUT TUDOR JACOBEAN DINING THRONE CHAIRS by BERKEY GAY GRM $1,599.99 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 44m |
 Antique Gothic Victorian Steeple Throne Chair Walnut 655 Inches $399.99 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 39m Buy It Now for only: $399.99 |
 Jacobean Revival Carved Oak Throne Armchair Chair x $940.28 Time Remaining: 25d 18h 9m Buy It Now for only: $940.28 |
 AMAZING PAIR QUARTER SAWN OAK THRONE CHURCH CHAIRS LOOK $495.00 Time Remaining: 19d 12h 12m Buy It Now for only: $495.00 |
 Childs chair decorative unique kids throne gold leafed black velvet $333.00 Time Remaining: 3d 12h Buy It Now for only: $333.00 |
 The Mill Collection Victorian Antique Oak Hall Carver Armchair Throne Chair z $1,098.31 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 4m Buy It Now for only: $1,098.31 |
 Lion King Mahogany Gothic THRONE CHAIR MADE TO ORDER for wedding hotel seat $946.60 Time Remaining: 13d 1h 23m Buy It Now for only: $946.60 |
 Italian Renaissance Syle Walnut Throne Armchair Carved Unique Stunning $599.00 Time Remaining: 20d 19h 57m Buy It Now for only: $599.00 |
 19th Century French Baroque Carved Walnut Throne Armchair Unique Rare $499.00 Time Remaining: 20d 19h 57m Buy It Now for only: $499.00 |
 Vintage French Provincial Bergere THRONE CHAIR Red Crushed Velvet BAROQUE $795.00 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 11m Buy It Now for only: $795.00 |
 Antique Walnut Gothic Throne Chairs $349.00 Time Remaining: 2d 19h 11m |
 Captivating Unique Pair Continental Highly Carved Walnut Throne Arm Chairs c1880 $2,250.00 Time Remaining: 7d 23h 44m Buy It Now for only: $2,250.00 |
 European fitzjames throne chair heavy hand carve dark stain mahogany replica $1,499.99 Time Remaining: 28d 23h 7m Buy It Now for only: $1,499.99 |
 ANTIQUE CARVED THRONE STYLE CHAIR NEW FABRIC +++ $900.00 Time Remaining: 15d 2h 49m Buy It Now for only: $900.00 |
 Jacobean Carved Walnut Bergere Carver Armchair Throne Chair Free UK Delivery $707.18 Time Remaining: 17h 35m Buy It Now for only: $707.18 |
 ANTIQUE BARLEY TWIST SUEDE COVERED THRONE CHAIR $500.00 Time Remaining: 25d 16h 2m Buy It Now for only: $500.00 |
 Carved Rams Sheep Head Carver Armchair Throne Chair $549.15 Time Remaining: 17d 8h 56m Buy It Now for only: $549.15 |
 CHIPPENDALE HALL BENCH THRONE CHAIR with BEVELLED MIRROR solid mahogany NEW $599.00 Time Remaining: 23d 17h Buy It Now for only: $599.00 |
 Rare Stomps Burkhardt Company North Wind Greek God Throne Chair $1,250.00 Time Remaining: 13d 3h 57m Buy It Now for only: $1,250.00 |
 Arts Crafts Mission Oak Hall or Throne Chair $295.00 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 24m Buy It Now for only: $295.00 |
 RENAISSANCE ROCOCO STYLE MAHOGANY PARLOR THRONE FIRESIDE ARM CHAIRS $499.99 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 44m |
 Lion Dragon Carved Antique Oak Hall or Throne Chair $1,250.00 Time Remaining: 25d 2h 28m Buy It Now for only: $1,250.00 |
 The Mill Collection Wainscot Carved Oak Hall Carver Armchair Throne Chair z $624.22 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 9m Buy It Now for only: $624.22 |
 Antique Throne CHAIR Rococo Baroque Style ORNATE Scroll $1,899.05 Time Remaining: 16d 5h 2m Buy It Now for only: $1,899.05 |
 Pair Arts Crafts Mission Oak Throne or Hall Chairs $695.00 Time Remaining: 23d 15h 23m Buy It Now for only: $695.00 |
 killer danish modern teak finn juhl high back throne chair mid centruy vintage $439.00 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 53m Buy It Now for only: $439.00 |
 Carved Antique 1900 Throne or Hall Armchair $1,450.00 Time Remaining: 22d 3h Buy It Now for only: $1,450.00 |
 Antique 1800s Italian Throne Chair Wood Leather Big Rare Unique 585 Tall $1,499.99 Time Remaining: 5d 14h 43m Buy It Now for only: $1,499.99 |
 Antique Chinese Carved Throne Chair $1,695.00 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 30m Buy It Now for only: $1,695.00 |
 pair antique mahogany empire carved throne arm chairs C $515.90 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 52m Buy It Now for only: $515.90 |
 ANTIQUE 19c VICTORIAN CARVED OAK THRONE BENCH HALL 3 SEAT CHAIR Attb HORNER $2,399.99 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 39m |
 ANTIQUE THRONE CHAIR UPHOLSTERED OAK ARM CHAIR OVERSIZED 53 $499.00 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 56m Buy It Now for only: $499.00 |
 Carved Antique 1900 Mahogany Throne or Hall Chair New Upholstery $1,575.00 Time Remaining: 20d 18h 41m Buy It Now for only: $1,575.00 |
 pair antique mahogany empire carved throne arm chairs A $515.90 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 53m Buy It Now for only: $515.90 |
 pair antique mahogany empire carved throne arm chairs B $515.90 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 53m Buy It Now for only: $515.90 |
 Fabulous Carved French Antique Renaissance Walnut Bench Throne $3,800.00 Time Remaining: 16d 5h 47m Buy It Now for only: $3,800.00 |
 Lg Mahogany Victorian Throne Chair Upholstered BackSeat $2,000.00 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 23m Buy It Now for only: $2,000.00 |
 HARD TO FIND SET OF THREE 3 GOTHIC CHURCH CATHEDRAL ABBEY OAK THRONE CHAIRS $1,295.00 Time Remaining: 26d 22h 56m Buy It Now for only: $1,295.00 |
 Antique European Leather Throne Chair Embossed Lions Castles 2 available $1,900.00 Time Remaining: 3d 16h 28m Buy It Now for only: $1,900.00 |
 Rare Antique Heavily Carved Figural Fireside OAK Arm Chair Throne Arts Crafts $1,295.00 Time Remaining: 14d 22h 12m Buy It Now for only: $1,295.00 |
 Antique Carved Italian Throne Chair NR $1,200.00 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 39m |
 Circa 1900 Tiger Oak Throne Chair $499.00 Time Remaining: 18d 15h 47m Buy It Now for only: $499.00 |
 GORGEOUS Vintage Spanish Style THRONE CHAIR Accent Chair $625.00 Time Remaining: 16d 20h 16m Buy It Now for only: $625.00 |
 EARLY 19TH CENTURY PAIR OF MAHOGANY MASONIC THRONE CHAIRS $51,201.72 Time Remaining: 21d 11h 47m Buy It Now for only: $51,201.72 |
 Antique Lions Head Hand Carved Wood Throne Chair Arm Chair Gothic Furniture $924.95 Time Remaining: 26d 18h 39m Buy It Now for only: $924.95 |
 Antique Gothic Renaissance Revival Throne Arm Chair $2,499.99 Time Remaining: 20h 12m Buy It Now for only: $2,499.99 |
 Antique Carved Gothic Revival Throne Arm Chair 1850 $3,500.00 Time Remaining: 20h 16m Buy It Now for only: $3,500.00 |
 2 19C ITALIAN THRONE CHAIRS ALLIGATOR PATT LEATHER $2,800.00 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 57m Buy It Now for only: $2,800.00 |
 Rare Late 1700 s Antique Russian Jacob Workshop Armchair Throne Arm Chair $3,000.00 Time Remaining: 25d 14h 58m Buy It Now for only: $3,000.00 |
 ANTIQUE HAND CARVED ENGLISH MEDIEVAL KINGS CHAIR THRONE $2,995.00 Time Remaining: 21d 18h 6m Buy It Now for only: $2,995.00 |
 5025 Highback Jacobean Carved Walnut Needlepoint Throne Chair $1,150.00 Time Remaining: 6d 21h 5m Buy It Now for only: $1,295.00 |
 Antique Gilded Carved Gothic Throne Arm Accent Chair $1,495.00 Time Remaining: 15d 14h 37m Buy It Now for only: $1,495.00 |
 Antique Hand Carved Wood Throne Chair $1,288.88 Time Remaining: 3d 15h 3m Buy It Now for only: $1,288.88 |
 French pair third empire egyptian revival throne bucket chairs pharaoh cleopatra $6,795.00 Time Remaining: 6d 3h 37m Buy It Now for only: $6,795.00 |
 Pair Funky French Gold Grotto Throne Chairs Seat Chair $2,204.52 Time Remaining: 29d 3h 30m Buy It Now for only: $2,204.52 |
 Pair French Grotto Chairs Rococo Throne Funky Seats $2,046.49 Time Remaining: 13d 23h 17m Buy It Now for only: $2,046.49 |
 French Empire Gilt Arm Chair Throne Seat $1,256.34 Time Remaining: 18d 55m Buy It Now for only: $1,256.34 |
 Gilt Regency Arm Chair Throne Chairs Seat $1,256.34 Time Remaining: 16d 18h 59m Buy It Now for only: $1,256.34 |
 ANTIQUE SOLID WOOD SADDLE BOTTOM CHAIR THRONE $495.00 Time Remaining: 19d 14h 10m Buy It Now for only: $495.00 |
 French Louis 14th Walnut Throne Carved Carver Chair X $851.94 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 27m Buy It Now for only: $851.94 |
 RARE MAGNIFICENT MASCULINE BLACK WALNUT JACOBEAN THRONE ARM CHAIR CIRCA 1800 $1,000.00 Time Remaining: 8d 17h 17m Buy It Now for only: $1,500.00 |
 Antique Late 19th Century Tudor Solid Mahogany Needlepoint Throne Arm Chair $1,295.00 Time Remaining: 24d 16h 38m Buy It Now for only: $1,295.00 |
 PAIR OF 19TH CENTURY ANTIQUE CARVED FRENCH WALNUT THRONE CHAIRS $3,555.68 Time Remaining: 18d 11h 56m Buy It Now for only: $3,555.68 |
 Stunning Antique French Walnut Throne Chair with Lions France circa 1860s $2,200.00 Time Remaining: 2d 20h 59m Buy It Now for only: $2,200.00 |
 BOLD 1960s High Back Throne Arm CHAIR VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD REGENCY RETRO Damask $599.95 Time Remaining: 24d 19h 27m Buy It Now for only: $599.95 |
 PR OF OAK HIGH BACK ARMED THRONE CHAIRS 3781 $3,000.00 Time Remaining: 10d 19h 38m Buy It Now for only: $3,000.00 |
 Pair of Vintage Solid Oak Tudor Throne Arm Chairs $1,795.00 Time Remaining: 17d 16h 10m Buy It Now for only: $1,795.00 |
 C19 ANTIQUE FRENCH PAIR of SAVONAROLA CHAIRS 2 THRONE X FAUTEUIL ARMCHAIR LOUIS $671.63 Time Remaining: 21d 21h 38m Buy It Now for only: $671.63 |
 Antique Tudor Throne Chairs DC Designer walnut quadfoli Round low backs pair $599.99 Time Remaining: 5d 19h 20m Buy It Now for only: $599.99 |
 Carved Griffin Mahogany Throne Chair Parlor Armchair $2,250.00 Time Remaining: 16d 1h 50m Buy It Now for only: $2,250.00 |
Throne Chair
What defines a Victorian dining chair?
The one thing which defines Victorian dining chairs is their variety. Queen Victoria was our longest reigning monarch, on the throne from 1837 to 1901. During this time Britain underwent enormous social and economic changes, which were reflected in the furniture. Industrial mechanisation, Colonialism, the Arts and Crafts movement, the Gothic revival, the rise of the middle-classes and numerous other trends made their contrasting marks on furniture design. From Cornwall to Cumbria, looking at the history of Victorian dining chairs is like looking at a history of paradoxes.
The style of Victorian dining chairs will date them to a large extent, with early, pre-industrial examples representing a good investment. Early Victorian dining chairs in areas like Lancashire retained elements of the Regency and William IV periods, with curved backs, scrolls and simple embellishments. The growth of Colonialism and travel to "foreign parts" also made military chairs popular in homes. These functional, but attractive, pieces are much sought after today.
By the mid 1850s, Victorian society was no longer polarised. Industrialisation had brought new wealth, and with it a burgeoning middle-class. This period saw the emergence of numerous manufacturers of fine Victorian dining chairs; Lancashire and the Chilterns being just two hubs of the industry. However although machines were now in use, mass production had yet to arrive.
The simple elegant lines of the Georgian period had, by now, fallen out of favour. The "nouveau riche" wanted to declare their wealth, and Victorian dining chairs of this period were imposing and ornate, often borrowing motifs from different periods. High gloss, elaborate decoration and generous sweeping curves define chairs from this period, with mahogany and rosewood joining oak as the most popular timbers. Victorian dining chairs of this period were still mainly handmade, with dovetail joints, chamfered legs and turned bun feet.
Later, chairs became more delicate in style. With comfort now central to design, it was common for Victorian dining chairs to have padded seats by the 1880s. At this time, revivalist Victorian dining chairs became popular. Lancashire manufacturer, Gillows of Lancaster, was one of a number of firms making high-quality Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton-style furniture. However, by the end of the 19th century the focus had shifted again. Mechanisation allowed designers to mass-produce styles inspired by history, art and literature, and dark chunky Tudor and Mediaeval-style chairs became fashionable. This was the era of the Gothic Revival dining chair, solidly designed in dark English oak with elaborate machine-turned legs.
However, mass production led to a backlash, furnishing us with two distinct genres. The honest, hand-crafted Victorian dining chairs of the Arts and Crafts movement, epitomised by William Morris; and the lightly Gothic inspiration of the Art Nouveau movement, as shown by Hugh Baillie Scott and Charles Rennie Mackintosh's furniture. Stores like Liberty of London, meanwhile, specialised in dining chairs inspired by China, Egypt and India.
Investing in Victorian antiques means avoiding the cheap-end, mass-produced items produced by the thousand in the 1890s. However, this doesn't mean spending five figures on a set of Mackintosh Victorian dining chairs. Antique dealerships abound in beautifully crafted Victorian dining chairs by lesser-known makers, which can be purchased at reasonable price.
About the Author
The author, Christian Davies, is a second generation antiques dealer and owner of Christian Davies Antiques, a family based antiques business based in Preston, Lancashire. Christian has over 23 years experience in the antiques business and has a passion for genuine, high quality antiques furniture, such as Victorian dining chairs, which he sources from the UK and Europe.
What and Where is the most expensive/luxurious office chair at?
Serious question! I am a king, so where's my office chair throne at?
Herman Miller makes a good one
Skeleton King Bone Throne Chair Mini MOC