An elegant classic English Victorian Balloon backed chair, made from handcarved mahogony, turned legs on original brass casters. Beautiful facings, very good quality. The piece has been professionally restored prior to re-unholstering by an expert in London, UK.
The piece has been fully re-upholstered, using traditional methods and techniques including webbed arms, stuffed with horse hair and upholstered back with buttons. No foam was used in this restoration. The piece has been upholstered in a cream fabric with pinpricked geometric detail.
English Victorian Balloon Backed Chair
Largely coinciding with Queen Victoria’s rule from 1837 to 1901, few periods of history have been as impactful as the Victorian age, and the unique Victorian furniture style remains a lasting example of its significance. This style, developed by British furniture makers and fabricators during the 19th century, exudes a trademark sophistication and elegance. These designers welcomed the new age with a distinctive aesthetic, moving away from Georgian era furniture and Federal style furniture of previous decades to embrace dark woods, luxurious embellishments and a sense of ornate grandeur. Victorian furniture pieces are often described as imposing or heavy and tends to be rather monumental in scale or decoration. Furthermore, the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution ushered in new interests in mechanical furniture, and many Victorian cabinetmakers incorporated these interests into innovative designs known as “patent furniture.”
Victorian furniture designers of the era drew on various influences, including elements of Gothic, Tudor, Elizabethan, Renaissance, English Rococo and Neoclassical styles. With such varied and rich inspirations, it is no surprise that furniture in the Victorian style tends to have ample ornamentation.
The type of wood utilized may also indicate that the furniture originated in the Victorian period. Mahogany and rosewood were often considered the Victorian woods of choice, though oak was sometimes preferred for its symbolic significance as the national tree of England. A high gloss finish was also a staple in Victorian furniture, visually appealing and reminiscent of a bygone time, it continues to reflect the refinement of their time even over a century later.
After Queen Victoria’s death in 1901, her son King Edward VII ascended to the throne. The king, already part of the fashionable elites that comprised the upper echelons of British society, also drew much inspiration from the finery of continental Europe and the Belle Époque. With the arrival of a new century and a new royal era, furniture styles transformed yet again.
Edwardian furniture took key inspiration from the Victorian age, leaving a sense of continuity between the two reigns. While Victorian design indulged in dark woods, Edwardian furniture preferred a lighter finish, looking towards new materials like bamboo and wicker. While Edwardian style furniture moved away from the heavy adornment and carving of the previous era, there was still an interest in decoration, often including inlaid metals.
One of the longest reigning monarchs in British history, Queen Victoria’s royal furniture style still brings a dignified grandeur reminiscent of the splendor of her times. With its recognizable features, skillful craftsmanship and connection to this romantic period of history, the antique Victorian furniture style remains prized by collectors today.