Skip to main content

Captains Bow Chair

Antique Captain’s Bow Chair, English, Beech, Elm, Home Office, Seat, Victorian
Antique Captain’s Bow Chair, English, Beech, Elm, Home Office, Seat, Victorian

Antique Captain’s Bow Chair, English, Beech, Elm, Home Office, Seat, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique captain’s bow chair. An English, beech and elm home office or drawing room seat

Category

Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Beech, Elm

Antique Captain's Chair, English Elm, Beech, Smoker's Bow, Elbow Seat, Victorian
Antique Captain's Chair, English Elm, Beech, Smoker's Bow, Elbow Seat, Victorian

Antique Captain's Chair, English Elm, Beech, Smoker's Bow, Elbow Seat, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique captain's chair. An English, elm and beech smoker's bow or elbow seat, dating

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Chairs

Materials

Beech, Elm

Antique Elbow Chair, English, Beech, Smoker's Bow, Captain Seat, Victorian, 1880
Antique Elbow Chair, English, Beech, Smoker's Bow, Captain Seat, Victorian, 1880

Antique Elbow Chair, English, Beech, Smoker's Bow, Captain Seat, Victorian, 1880

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique elbow chair. An English, beech and fruitwood smoker's bow or captain's chair

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Chairs

Materials

Beech

Antique Bow Chair, Smokers Captains English Victorian Elm Windsor, circa 1870
Antique Bow Chair, Smokers Captains English Victorian Elm Windsor, circa 1870

Antique Bow Chair, Smokers Captains English Victorian Elm Windsor, circa 1870

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique, bow-back chair, sometimes referred to as a 'Smoker's' or 'Captain's' chair. An

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chairs

Materials

Elm

Pair of English Mahogany Captains Smokers Bow Armchairs
Pair of English Mahogany Captains Smokers Bow Armchairs

Pair of English Mahogany Captains Smokers Bow Armchairs

$4,891 / set

H 33.47 in W 27.17 in D 23.23 in

Pair of English Mahogany Captains Smokers Bow Armchairs

Located in Faversham, GB

A commanding pair of mahogany Captains chairs or smokers bow armchairs with wide open arms. Each

Category

Antique 19th Century British High Victorian Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Child's Captain's Chair, Beech and Elm, Country Style, Antique, 1900
Child's Captain's Chair, Beech and Elm, Country Style, Antique, 1900

Child's Captain's Chair, Beech and Elm, Country Style, Antique, 1900

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Childs chair, in the style of a Captain’s chair This is a very unusual child’s chair, the chair

Category

Antique Early 1900s Country Chairs

Materials

Beech

19th Century English Victorian Swivel Captains Desk Chair
19th Century English Victorian Swivel Captains Desk Chair

19th Century English Victorian Swivel Captains Desk Chair

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Handsome 19th century English Victorian period captains chair or smokers' bow chair crafted from

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Plastic, Mahogany

19th Century Victorian English Bow-Back Captain's Chair
19th Century Victorian English Bow-Back Captain's Chair

19th Century Victorian English Bow-Back Captain's Chair

Located in London, GB

A handsome example of a Victorian bow-back armchair - often referred to as a ‘Captain’s’ or

Category

Antique 19th Century English Armchairs

Materials

Elm, Oak

Antique Armchair, English, Victorian, Elm Bow Back, Smokers Captains Chair
Antique Armchair, English, Victorian, Elm Bow Back, Smokers Captains Chair

Antique Armchair, English, Victorian, Elm Bow Back, Smokers Captains Chair

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique armchair, an English, Victorian, elm, bow-back 'smokers', or 'captains', chair

Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Beech, Elm

Gorgeous Patina Edwardian Solid Elm Bow Back Smokers Captains Chair
Gorgeous Patina Edwardian Solid Elm Bow Back Smokers Captains Chair

Gorgeous Patina Edwardian Solid Elm Bow Back Smokers Captains Chair

Located in Pulborough, GB

solid elm bow back smokers captain's chair is truly stunning, with a gorgeous patina that radiates

Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Antique Country House Captain's Chair, English Elm, Smoker's Bow Seat, Victorian
Antique Country House Captain's Chair, English Elm, Smoker's Bow Seat, Victorian

Antique Country House Captain's Chair, English Elm, Smoker's Bow Seat, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique country house captain's chair. An English, elm smoker's bow or elbow seat

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Late Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Rare 19th Century Tavern, or Clerks, Chair
Rare 19th Century Tavern, or Clerks, Chair

Rare 19th Century Tavern, or Clerks, Chair

$4,952

H 41 in W 25 in D 25 in

Rare 19th Century Tavern, or Clerks, Chair

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

design is typical of a mid-19th century smokers bow, or captains, chair but of course it stands on much

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Chairs

Materials

Ash, Elm

Antique Smoker's Bow, English, Ash, Elm, Elbow, Captain's Chair, Victorian, 1900
Antique Smoker's Bow, English, Ash, Elm, Elbow, Captain's Chair, Victorian, 1900

Antique Smoker's Bow, English, Ash, Elm, Elbow, Captain's Chair, Victorian, 1900

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique smoker's bow. An English, ash and elm elbow or captain's chair, dating to the

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Armchairs

Materials

Ash, Elm

Recent Sales

Victorian Bow-Back Elbow Captain's Chair, Late 1800
Victorian Bow-Back Elbow Captain's Chair, Late 1800

Victorian Bow-Back Elbow Captain's Chair, Late 1800

Unavailable

H 31.11 in W 24.81 in D 24.02 in

Victorian Bow-Back Elbow Captain's Chair, Late 1800

Located in Notting Hill, GB

Late 1800, Victorian bow-back elbow Captain's chair made with turned spindles and a beautiful

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Chairs

Materials

Elm

Victorian Captains Chair Smoker Bow
Victorian Captains Chair Smoker Bow

Victorian Captains Chair Smoker Bow

Unavailable

H 30.71 in W 26.38 in D 23.62 in

Victorian Captains Chair Smoker Bow

Located in Whaley Bridge, GB

K0240 Late Victorian ash and elm smokers bow armchair with shaped top rail supported on turned

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Ash

Victorian Ash and Elm Smokers Bow Chair Captains Chair
Victorian Ash and Elm Smokers Bow Chair Captains Chair

Victorian Ash and Elm Smokers Bow Chair Captains Chair

Unavailable

H 31.102 in W 26.772 in D 21.654 in

Victorian Ash and Elm Smokers Bow Chair Captains Chair

Located in Whaley Bridge, GB

0239 Late Victorian ash and elm smokers bow armchair with shaped top rail supported on turned

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Club Chairs

Materials

Ash

Antique Elm Smokers Bow Captains Chair With Oversized Arm
Antique Elm Smokers Bow Captains Chair With Oversized Arm

Antique Elm Smokers Bow Captains Chair With Oversized Arm

Unavailable

H 30.71 in W 14.97 in D 16.93 in

Antique Elm Smokers Bow Captains Chair With Oversized Arm

Located in Accrington, GB

A rare chair dating to the early part of the 20th century. We think the chair was a teachers chair

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Country Chairs

Materials

Elm

Antique Captains or Smokers Bow back armchair
Antique Captains or Smokers Bow back armchair

Antique Captains or Smokers Bow back armchair

Sold

H 30.71 in W 23.63 in D 21.66 in

Antique Captains or Smokers Bow back armchair

Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB

Antique Captains or Smokers Bow back armchair. Made from Beech and Elm this wonderful chair has all

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Edwardian Chairs

Materials

Beech, Elm

Antique Captain's Desk Chair, English, Elm, Smoker's Bow, Elbow Seat, Victorian
Antique Captain's Desk Chair, English, Elm, Smoker's Bow, Elbow Seat, Victorian

Antique Captain's Desk Chair, English, Elm, Smoker's Bow, Elbow Seat, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique captain's desk chair. An English, elm and beech smoker's bow or elbow seat

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Chairs

Materials

Beech, Elm

Antique Bow-Back Elbow Chair, English, Victorian, Smokers, Captains, circa 1890
Antique Bow-Back Elbow Chair, English, Victorian, Smokers, Captains, circa 1890

Antique Bow-Back Elbow Chair, English, Victorian, Smokers, Captains, circa 1890

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique bow-back elbow chair. An English, Victorian, elm, 'smokers', or 'captains

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Chairs

Materials

Elm

Pair Of Antique Smoker's Bow Chairs, English Beech Captain's Armchair, Victorian
Pair Of Antique Smoker's Bow Chairs, English Beech Captain's Armchair, Victorian

Pair Of Antique Smoker's Bow Chairs, English Beech Captain's Armchair, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a pair of antique smoker's bow chairs. An English, beech and elm captain's armchair

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Chairs

Materials

Beech

Paul McCobb for Directional Bow Tie Armchairs or Dining Captain Chairs, Pair
Paul McCobb for Directional Bow Tie Armchairs or Dining Captain Chairs, Pair

Paul McCobb for Directional Bow Tie Armchairs or Dining Captain Chairs, Pair

By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern bow tie armchairs or dining captain chairs By Paul

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut, Lacquer

Bow-Back Armchair, English, High Wycombe, Elm, Smokers, Captains, circa 1900
Bow-Back Armchair, English, High Wycombe, Elm, Smokers, Captains, circa 1900

Bow-Back Armchair, English, High Wycombe, Elm, Smokers, Captains, circa 1900

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

', or 'captains', chair dating to circa 1900. An appealing country kitchen, bow back armchair Grain

Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Chairs

Materials

Beech, Elm

English Smoker's Bow Chairs, Pair
English Smoker's Bow Chairs, Pair

English Smoker's Bow Chairs, Pair

Sold

H 30.5 in W 26.5 in D 23 in

English Smoker's Bow Chairs, Pair

Located in Astoria, NY

Pair of English figured yew wood Captain / Smoker Bow chairs, late 19th century, throughout with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Chairs

Materials

Wood

Antique Captain's Chair, English, Oak, Bow-Back, Leather, Smokers circa 1910
Antique Captain's Chair, English, Oak, Bow-Back, Leather, Smokers circa 1910

Antique Captain's Chair, English, Oak, Bow-Back, Leather, Smokers circa 1910

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique Captain's chair, an English, oak bow-back with leather seat dating to the

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

19th Century, Elm and Ash Smokers Bow, Captains Chair, Office or Desk Chair
19th Century, Elm and Ash Smokers Bow, Captains Chair, Office or Desk Chair

19th Century, Elm and Ash Smokers Bow, Captains Chair, Office or Desk Chair

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

This solid chair has an attractive thick saddle shaped seat in Elm, it has a very wide curved top

Category

Antique 19th Century English Country Armchairs

Materials

Ash, Elm

Pair of Early 20th Century Spindle Back Chairs in Bouclé
Pair of Early 20th Century Spindle Back Chairs in Bouclé

Pair of Early 20th Century Spindle Back Chairs in Bouclé

Located in Aartselaar, BE

19th-century smokers bow or captains chairs. These chairs combine elegance with comfort and their

Category

Early 20th Century European Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Wood, Oak, Walnut

Set of Eight English Bow Armchairs
Set of Eight English Bow Armchairs

Set of Eight English Bow Armchairs

Sold

H 31.5 in W 26.5 in D 20.25 in

Set of Eight English Bow Armchairs

Located in Austin, TX

A fine set of eight large English bow armchairs (also known as captain's chairs or smoker's bow arm

Category

Antique 19th Century English Armchairs

Materials

Ash, Elm, Oak, Wood

Set of Four Mid-19th Century Beech & Elm Smokers Bow Windsor or Captains Chairs
Set of Four Mid-19th Century Beech & Elm Smokers Bow Windsor or Captains Chairs

Set of Four Mid-19th Century Beech & Elm Smokers Bow Windsor or Captains Chairs

Located in Suffolk, GB

A set of four mid-19th century beech and elm smokers bow Windsor or Captains chairs of good color

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Beech, Elm

Victorian Elm and Fruitwood Club Chair
Victorian Elm and Fruitwood Club Chair

Victorian Elm and Fruitwood Club Chair

Sold

H 32.68 in W 24.81 in D 25.6 in

Victorian Elm and Fruitwood Club Chair

Located in Manchester, GB

captains chairs to smokers bows and many more.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Elm, Fruitwood

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Captains Bow Chair", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Captains Bow Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal captains bow chair for your home. A captains bow chair — often made from wood, hardwood and elm — can elevate any home. There are 19 variations of the antique or vintage captains bow chair you’re looking for, while we also have 1 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. Your living room may not be complete without a captains bow chair — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. A captains bow chair, designed in the Victorian or Georgian style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. You’ll likely find more than one captains bow chair that is appealing in its simplicity, but Angelo Montaperto, Justinian Montaperto and Montaperto Studios produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Captains Bow Chair?

A captains bow chair can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $1,901, while the lowest priced sells for $737 and the highest can go for as much as $74,730.

Finding the Right Seating for You

With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.

Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.

Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.

The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.

Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.

With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.

Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.

No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.

Questions About Captains Bow Chair
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Today, a captain's chair is typically used for providing seating at a kitchen or dining table. The name of the chair comes from the fact that furniture of this type once provided seating for a ship's officers in lounge areas. Shop a large collection of captain's chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    A captain's chair is an armchair with a saddle seat and low curved back, usually upholstered in leather or cloth. It has vertical spindles that create the appearance of extra height for more formal settings. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage chairs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Captain’s chairs are called that because early versions of the armchairs were used aboard boats to provide seating for high-ranking officers. These chairs date back to the 19th century and usually featured all-wood construction. Find a selection of antique and vintage captain's chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A bow back chair refers to a silhouette of a chair with a curved back and is usually made with high-quality wood. Bow back chairs were popular during the colonial period and are representative of American-Amish heritage. Browse a range of vintage bow back chairs on 1stDibs.