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Need help with antique chair

8 years ago

I just acquired this old chair for doing about an hour of yard work for someone. I dont know much about antiques but when she showed me the chair I just felt like it was a good one. I want to actually get it reupholstered or possibly reupholster it myself with the help of my Mom. It uses horsehar and burlap for the cushion and the fabric has a layer of what looks like wool underneath it even on the arms.

My mom's never done anything tufted though so we're wondering if we'll even be able too?

Also would like to know if anyone knows more about the style or era of this type of chair. How do I tell if it's an imposter or a real old chair? I notice all the tacks holding the upholstrey in place and wonder if that gives any kind of indication of the age. the tag on the bottom has been peeled off so that's not going to be able to help. the bottom of the feet have metal nubs which I'm hoping and guessing were maybe replaced at a later date becuase they don't seem very old

It's very, very comfortable !

Comments (8)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    It has nice design elements and the wood is not scratched. I'm anxious to see what Lindac says about this one.

    The legs are not braced, so never tip back on two legs in this chair. Its legs could be broken.

  • 8 years ago

    That style of exposed finished frame is called a bergere chair. It was popular for a long time - 1780s through today. That makes dating them a bit difficult until you get into the innards or can handle the wood.

    Best bet ... 1930s to 1980s.

    If it's not rickety it would be a good re-upholstering project.

  • 8 years ago

    It reminds me of the first chair that I upholstered (self-taught from reading and videos) back in 2012. Mine was a Drexel Heritage from Craigslist and I paid $90 for it. That's a GREAT chair for an hour of yard work!

    But, also from personal experience, prying out the brass nail head trim will drive you crazy and take a long time, if you decide to do this yourself. I bought several tools before I started my hobby of upholstering. I wouldn't try tufting on my my first chair.

    This was mine in the beginning, with my assistant Riley, who inspects each chair, 'helps' me re-do it, and then tests it afterward.

    I then took MANY pictures of it from all angles before and during the removal of the original fabric and piping. You'll need a stapler that uses upholstery staples, and a glue gun, and upholstering glue sticks.

    In progress - I work on a heavy duty card table in my home office/sewing room.

    Finished -






  • 8 years ago

    Thank you guys! I took out an exposed screw I found in the arm last night and it is definitely a post 1848 screw. After looking closer at the designs in the wood I'm going to guess it was handmade. Will someone at an antique shop be able to maybe give me a good date range? My3Dogs, that chair looks way better after you reupholstered it!

  • 8 years ago

    By the way, do you guys have any idea how much it might cost to get this professionally reupholstered? I'm thinking the tufting might be too difficult for us to do.

  • 8 years ago

    From what you show, the chair is not "antique"...likely dating from the 1960's to 2000. It's a mix of styles loosely called traditional....it has the leg shape of a Queen Anne, the back of a Victorian with a little "directoire" tossed in.
    It's a good chair....appears well made. Felt and coir and cotton batting were and are still common materials in upholstery

    There are no signs of age or use on this chair no finish worn where your hands would touch the wood, no bumps of dings from a mop of vacuum on the legs. The metal gliders on the legs were probably original and the fact that there was a tag on the bottom means newer.
    The decorative nailheads are very modern...most likely an antique chair with original upholstery would have had 2 rows of welting at the bottom.
    Bottom line, it's not antique....but is a good newer chair. And remember, when assessing age....look for wear. There appears to be none on your chair....not even to the fabric.
    Cost to professionally redo depends on the fabric you choose and if you choose to have tufting and covered buttons....both are labor intensive. See if you can find someone who will price it by labor alone....tell them you have fabric....then go to a fabric outlet and buy a remnant. You ought to be able to get a very nice piece of upholstery fabric for $25.....then also ask about the cost of new batting and webbing.
    And show us pictures when it's done.


  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I heard there's a pretty good fabric store close to where I live. I was honestly thinking about fixing it all up and selling it but I need to go maybe get a quote on a professional job first and see if I would make any kind of profit. Worst case I have a really comfy cool chair in my room that I got for doing and hour of yard work!

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