What is a barrel chair?

Barrel chairs are accent chairs that feature a curved back shaped like half of a barrel. In some cases, the back slopes down at the sides to form arms. Other pieces are armless or have separate rolled arms at the sides. You'll find a variety of barrel chairs on 1stDibs.

What are barrel chairs?

Barrel chairs have high, semicircular backs which form a single piece with the arms.

What is a Windsor back chair?

A Windsor back chair is a solid wooden chair with an arched spindle back. Most designs have curved arms positioned on angled stands and carved legs connected by a cross stretcher. The chair gets its name from the English city of Windsor, where the chairs were first made in the 18th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Windsor back chairs.

How do you identify a Windsor chair?

To identify a Windsor chair, look at how it was made. On authentic pieces, the bentwood back frames are assembled with slender wooden spindles that are plugged into drill holes in the sculpted seat, which was usually made of elm and slightly sunken or dish-shaped for the sitter’s comfort. The chairs have wooden legs that splay outward to provide stability, and unlike other chair designs, the back legs have no connection to the chair back. Shop a range of Windsor chairs on 1stDibs.

Why is it called a Windsor chair?

A Windsor chair is called that after the town where it was first made, Windsor, England. In 1710, artisans in the village began producing wooden spindle chairs. Craftsmen in the American colonies began making their own versions in the 1730s. A handful of Windsor chairs are said to have appeared in Philadelphia by the late 1720s, however, owing to Pennsylvania lieutenant governor Patrick Gordon’s fondness for the seat. Colonial furniture makers sometimes painted their Windsor chairs, which were crafted from a variety of woods such as thick pine, ash or birch. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique Windsor chairs.

What is a Windsor rocking chair?

A Windsor rocking chair is built for comfort and is usually manufactured in such a way that the seat’s spindles, along with the chair-back and legs, are pushed into holes that have been drilled. This sets this type of chair apart, as the standard construction of a chair sees that the back legs are continuous. The Windsor chair originated in the early 1700s in the English town of Windsor. As mentioned, their bentwood back frames are assembled with slender wooden spindles that are plugged into drill holes in the sculpted seat, which was usually made of elm and slightly sunken or dish-shaped for the sitter’s comfort. Shop a collection of antique and vintage Windsor rocking chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

What era are barrel chairs from?

The earliest barrel chairs are from is the era of the early 19th century. However, Frank Lloyd Wright created one of the most famous barrel chairs in 1937 as a part of his design for Wingspread, a home in Wind Point, Wisconsin. On 1stDibs, find a collection of barrel chairs.

Who invented the barrel chair?

No one knows who invented the barrel chair originally, or even where the chairs appeared first. They became popular during the mid to late 19th century, but it was Frank Lloyd Wright who made them famous when he designed an iconic version for Wingspread, a home he designed in Wind Point, Wisconsin. Wright also used his Taliesin Barrel chair to furnish his own home in Wisconsin. Shop a selection of barrel chairs on 1stDibs.

How do I identify a Windsor rocking chair?

To identify a Windsor rocking chair, enlist the help of a licensed furniture appraiser. Many convincing distressed reproductions exist due to their popularity and value. An experienced professional can accurately determine if yours is an authentic antique or a replica. Find a range of expertly vetted Windsor rocking chairs on 1stDibs.

How much is a Windsor chair worth?

A set of antique Windsor chairs can sell from about $500 to well into the thousands, depending on the quality and condition. Single chairs range from about $100 to thousands, with age being a major factor in value. Find a range of antique vintage Windsor and other chairs on 1stDibs.

How do I reupholster a barrel back chair?

Reupholster a barrel back chair by first removing the old upholstery from the chair. Use the old pieces of material as a guide to help you cut the new upholstery into properly sized pieces. Reupholster the chair by using a furniture stapler to re-secure the new upholstery in the same manner that the old upholstery was attached. Shop a range of vintage and contemporary barrel back chairs on 1stDibs.

Windsor Barrel Chair

Pair of Japanese Mid Century Modern Akita Mokko Fan Barrel Back Lounge Chairs

$7,500 / set

Pair of Japanese Mid Century Modern Akita Mokko Fan Barrel Back Lounge Chairs

By Akita Mokko, Edmond J. Spence

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Pair of Japanese Mid Century Modern Akita Mokko fan barrel back lounge chairs.

Category

20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Windsor Chairs

Materials

Birch

Marge Carson Large Silk Down Tufted Olive Gold Swivel Barrel Chairs, Set of 2

$7,295 / set

Marge Carson Large Silk Down Tufted Olive Gold Swivel Barrel Chairs, Set of 2

By Marge Carson

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated early 2000s with this exquisite sculptural large swivel chairs on a wood base. The ultra rare barrel tub style swivel chairs ex...

Category

Early 2000s American Hollywood Regency Windsor Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Down

Mid Century Oak Bentwood Windsor Barrel Back Swivel Bankers Office Desk Chair

$1,000

Mid Century Oak Bentwood Windsor Barrel Back Swivel Bankers Office Desk Chair

Located in Dayton, OH

This exceptional vintage Victorian Revival Windsor-style swivel desk chair is crafted from solid oak, seamlessly blending classic academic charm with practical mid-century functional...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Oak

Recent Sales

Antique Child’s Windsor Barrel Chair with Leather Seat

Sold

H 20 in W 14 in D 16.5 in

Antique Child’s Windsor Barrel Chair with Leather Seat

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Antique Child’s Windsor barrel chair W leather seat. It is a very unusual example with a beautiful patina and genuine leather seat.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chairs

Materials

Leather

Windsor Style Barrel Back Chair

Sold

H 40.56 in W 22.05 in D 19.69 in

Windsor Style Barrel Back Chair

Located in Haywards Heath England, GB

Arts & Crafts barrel back Windsor style chair in stained beech Re-upholstered in original Liberty fabric ‘Cottage Garden’ Circa 1895 Height 103cm.

Category

Antique 1890s English Arts and Crafts Windsor Chairs

Materials

Brass

Antique Barrel Back Firehouse Windsor Chair with Cane Seat

Sold

H 30 in W 21.5 in D 22 in

Antique Barrel Back Firehouse Windsor Chair with Cane Seat

Located in Germantown, MD

Early 20th century mismatched barrel back oak Windsor pub chairs American chairs in the style of Boling Each chair is slightly mismatched (see all images) but they work well togeth...

Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Windsor Chairs

Materials

Cane, Oak

Hollywood Regency Napoleon Style Faux Bamboo Barrel Back Chairs in Teak

Sold

H 34 in W 26 in D 25 in

Hollywood Regency Napoleon Style Faux Bamboo Barrel Back Chairs in Teak

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Southampton, NJ

A pair of carved teak barrel back chairs. Faux bamboo down to the carved rootball feet with ornate rope and tassel details similar to Napoleon chairs. Newly upholstered in designer t...

Category

Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Windsor Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Polyester, Teak

Set of Four Early 20th Century Mismatched Barrel Back Oak Pub Chairs

Sold

H 31 in W 21 in D 18 in

Set of Four Early 20th Century Mismatched Barrel Back Oak Pub Chairs

Located in San Francisco, CA

Set of four early 20th century mismatched barrel back oak pub chairs American chairs in the style of Boling Each chair is slightly mismatched (see all images) but they work we...

Category

Early 20th Century American Windsor Chairs

Materials

Oak

19th Century Barrel Back Windsor Chair

Sold

H 35 in W 22 in D 16 in

19th Century Barrel Back Windsor Chair

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The curved nature of the back to this Windsor chair provides a descriptive name. The term barrel back offers a visual of a rounded back that stretched from arm to arm.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Country Chairs

Materials

Wood

Statton Solid Cherry Windsor Barrel Back Farmhouse Dining Arm Chairs Tavern Pub

Sold

H 30.5 in W 22 in D 24 in

Statton Solid Cherry Windsor Barrel Back Farmhouse Dining Arm Chairs Tavern Pub

By Statton Furniture

Located in Dayton, OH

"7 Vintage Statton solid cherry barrel back saloon or Caboose dining arm chairs, circa mid 20th cenutry. The Caboose Chair was first designed for the Union Pacific Railroad and wa...

Category

Mid-20th Century Country Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Cherry

12 RED BARREL-BACK WINDSOR CHAIRS, RED PAINT, DECORATED

Sold

H 29.5 in W 19.25 in D 18 in

12 RED BARREL-BACK WINDSOR CHAIRS, RED PAINT, DECORATED

Located in York County, PA

SET OF 12 BARREL-BACK WINDSOR CHAIRS, IN RED PAINT, WITH THE 3-LINK CHAIN (FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TRUTH) OF THE ODD FELLOWS ON EACH CREST RAIL, CA 1850-70: How often do you find a ...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Arts & Crafts Windsor Style Barrel Back Chair By Liberty & Co

Sold

H 44.89 in W 24.61 in D 22.84 in

Arts & Crafts Windsor Style Barrel Back Chair By Liberty & Co

By Liberty & Co.

Located in Haywards Heath England, GB

Arts and Crafts Windsor style barrel back chair In stained beech with spindle back Attributed to William Birch Liberty & Co Circa 1895 Height 114cm.

Category

Antique 1890s English Arts and Crafts Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Pair of Paul McCobb Dark Maple Modern Windsor Style Armchairs

Sold

H 29.75 in W 23.75 in D 22 in

Pair of Paul McCobb Dark Maple Modern Windsor Style Armchairs

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Chicago, IL

Pair of Paul McCobb for the Planner Group maple wood arm chairs refinished in dark walnut. Modern take on the traditional style Windsor chair, barrel back with the McCobb "shovel" se...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Armchairs

Materials

Maple

4 Handmade Vintage Pine Windsor Barrel Back Farmhouse Dining Chairs Tavern Pub

Sold

H 29 in W 24 in D 25.5 in

4 Handmade Vintage Pine Windsor Barrel Back Farmhouse Dining Chairs Tavern Pub

Located in Dayton, OH

4 vintage windsor style pine barrel back saloon or Caboose dining arm chairs, circa 1960s.

Category

Vintage 1960s Country Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Pine

Assembled Set of 10 Firehouse Windsor Arm Chairs

Sold

H 36 in W 21.5 in D 16 in

Assembled Set of 10 Firehouse Windsor Arm Chairs

Located in Wainscott, NY

Assembled Set of ten Barrel Back Windsor Arm Chairs, Nice Patina,four honey brown, mixed set

Category

Antique 19th Century American Armchairs

Pair of 19th Century American Windsor Captain's Chairs

Sold

H 32.25 in W 25.75 in D 23.75 in

Pair of 19th Century American Windsor Captain's Chairs

Located in Essex, MA

A pair of 19th century American country black painted Windsor Captain's chairs, the barrel backed and shaped arms supported by boldly turned vase and ring spindles, raised on similar...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Armchairs

Materials

Wood

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Windsor Barrel Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal windsor barrel chair for your home. Each windsor barrel chair for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, hardwood and elm. There are many kinds of the windsor barrel chair you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. A windsor barrel chair made by Victorian designers — as well as those associated with mid-century modern — is very popular. Akita Mokko and Statton Furniture each produced at least one beautiful windsor barrel chair that is worth considering.

How Much is a Windsor Barrel Chair?

The average selling price for a windsor barrel chair at 1stDibs is $1,982, while they’re typically $850 on the low end and $7,500 for the highest priced.

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 Windsor Barrel Chair

What is a barrel chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Barrel chairs are accent chairs that feature a curved back shaped like half of a barrel. In some cases, the back slopes down at the sides to form arms. Other pieces are armless or have separate rolled arms at the sides. You'll find a variety of barrel chairs on 1stDibs.
What are barrel chairs?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019
Barrel chairs have high, semicircular backs which form a single piece with the arms.
What is a Windsor back chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
A Windsor back chair is a solid wooden chair with an arched spindle back. Most designs have curved arms positioned on angled stands and carved legs connected by a cross stretcher. The chair gets its name from the English city of Windsor, where the chairs were first made in the 18th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Windsor back chairs.
How do you identify a Windsor chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
To identify a Windsor chair, look at how it was made. On authentic pieces, the bentwood back frames are assembled with slender wooden spindles that are plugged into drill holes in the sculpted seat, which was usually made of elm and slightly sunken or dish-shaped for the sitter’s comfort. The chairs have wooden legs that splay outward to provide stability, and unlike other chair designs, the back legs have no connection to the chair back. Shop a range of Windsor chairs on 1stDibs.
Why is it called a Windsor chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 14, 2023
A Windsor chair is called that after the town where it was first made, Windsor, England. In 1710, artisans in the village began producing wooden spindle chairs. Craftsmen in the American colonies began making their own versions in the 1730s. A handful of Windsor chairs are said to have appeared in Philadelphia by the late 1720s, however, owing to Pennsylvania lieutenant governor Patrick Gordon’s fondness for the seat. Colonial furniture makers sometimes painted their Windsor chairs, which were crafted from a variety of woods such as thick pine, ash or birch. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique Windsor chairs.
What is a Windsor rocking chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021
A Windsor rocking chair is built for comfort and is usually manufactured in such a way that the seat’s spindles, along with the chair-back and legs, are pushed into holes that have been drilled. This sets this type of chair apart, as the standard construction of a chair sees that the back legs are continuous. The Windsor chair originated in the early 1700s in the English town of Windsor. As mentioned, their bentwood back frames are assembled with slender wooden spindles that are plugged into drill holes in the sculpted seat, which was usually made of elm and slightly sunken or dish-shaped for the sitter’s comfort. Shop a collection of antique and vintage Windsor rocking chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
What era are barrel chairs from?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
The earliest barrel chairs are from is the era of the early 19th century. However, Frank Lloyd Wright created one of the most famous barrel chairs in 1937 as a part of his design for Wingspread, a home in Wind Point, Wisconsin. On 1stDibs, find a collection of barrel chairs.
Who invented the barrel chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
No one knows who invented the barrel chair originally, or even where the chairs appeared first. They became popular during the mid to late 19th century, but it was Frank Lloyd Wright who made them famous when he designed an iconic version for Wingspread, a home he designed in Wind Point, Wisconsin. Wright also used his Taliesin Barrel chair to furnish his own home in Wisconsin. Shop a selection of barrel chairs on 1stDibs.
How do I identify a Windsor rocking chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
To identify a Windsor rocking chair, enlist the help of a licensed furniture appraiser. Many convincing distressed reproductions exist due to their popularity and value. An experienced professional can accurately determine if yours is an authentic antique or a replica. Find a range of expertly vetted Windsor rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
How much is a Windsor chair worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
A set of antique Windsor chairs can sell from about $500 to well into the thousands, depending on the quality and condition. Single chairs range from about $100 to thousands, with age being a major factor in value. Find a range of antique vintage Windsor and other chairs on 1stDibs.
How do I reupholster a barrel back chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Reupholster a barrel back chair by first removing the old upholstery from the chair. Use the old pieces of material as a guide to help you cut the new upholstery into properly sized pieces. Reupholster the chair by using a furniture stapler to re-secure the new upholstery in the same manner that the old upholstery was attached. Shop a range of vintage and contemporary barrel back chairs on 1stDibs.

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Nobody Puts This Sunny Sofa in a Corner

With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.

The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs

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Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways

The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.

This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet

Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.

Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?

From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.