Victorian Dressing Chair

Victorian dresses consist of two parts, the bodice and the skirt. What makes Victorian dresses special and distinctive is the ample back of the skirt which is supported by a bustle. The bustle is not a part of the dress; it is an undergarment that’s similar to a half slip with enough support to lift the heavy fabrics of a Victorian skirt. Shop a collection of vintage clothing from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

A dressing chair may refer to the stool or short seat that is intended to accompany a vanity table. Vanities been variously known as dressing tables or makeup tables over the years, but no matter what we call them — and whether it's a sophisticated contemporary piece or an iconic vintage Luigi Massoni vanity — vanities have offered a special place for us to get ready for work, an early-morning appointment or lunch date or whatever lies ahead. Find your vintage dressing chair or vanity table on 1stDibs.

The parts of a Victorian dress are called the bodice and the skirt. Bodice refers to the area of the dress above the waist, while the skirt is the portion that flows from the waist to the floor. Underneath their dresses, Victorians often wore corsets to cinch their waistlines, hoop crinolines to enhance the shape of the skirt and bustles to lift the back of the dress in the buttocks area. However, these undergarments were separate pieces that had to be put on prior to a dress. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of historic, vintage and contemporary dresses.

To identify a Victorian chair, focus on the frame rather than the upholstery, which might have been replaced over the years. Look under the seat and on the legs for maker's marks. If you find any, conduct online research to determine if the manufacturer was active and producing chairs similar to yours during the Victorian era, which lasted from the 1830s through the turn of the 20th century. Some chairmakers who were active at the time include Chesterfield, Charles Hindley & Sons, Heywood-Wakefield Co., Howard & Sons and Jacob and Josef Kohn. Should you be unable to locate any markings, you can examine the characteristics of your chair to determine if it reflects the Victorian style. Easily recognizable, Victorian furniture is regal, ornate and luxurious. It often features curved lines, stately proportions and highly detailed geometric and floral embellishments. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can also aid you in the identification process. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Victorian chairs.

A Victorian slipper chair is a chair that was made to be shorter than the average chair. The height of its seat was 15 inches from the floor, compared to the standard 17 to 18 inches. Shop a collection of Victorian slipper chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.