At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal antique carved wingback chair for your home. Frequently made of
wood,
fabric and
mahogany, every antique carved wingback chair was constructed with great care. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer antique carved wingback chair, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. An antique carved wingback chair made by
Louis XVI designers — as well as those associated with
Georgian — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one antique carved wingback chair that is appealing in its simplicity, but
Jamestown Lounge Company and
Southwood & Co. produced versions that are worth a look.
They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s.
Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace.
Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals, from mid-century modern spinoffs to playful contemporary adaptations (like the Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch, wherein the place of wings are furry ears — a cheeky send-up of Hans Wegner’s iconic mid-century Papa Bear chair).
Shop the most innovative versions of wingback chairs today on 1stDibs.