Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

ORIGINAL ANTIQUE ROBERT DAWS HARDWOOD BROWN LEATHER RECLINiNG LIBRARY ARMCHAIR

$12,271.83
£8,950
€10,438.20
CA$16,804.33
A$18,684.13
CHF 9,755.82
MX$227,431.32
NOK 124,480.02
SEK 116,631.83
DKK 77,902.17
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning 100% period correct, fully stamped Robert Daws, William IV circa 1830 Rosewood reclining library reading armchair with built in footrest and super rare reading slope Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote, please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price. This chair is a wonder to behold, the reclining action is operated by two buttons one under each arm, you simply squeeze the arms and then slide back to one of the many different position settings, its all very well made. The inside back left leg is stamped as you can see R Daws under the Crown with GR either side which means they were given their Royal Warrant under the Throne of King George III The frame is all hand carved from solid English Mahogany, the front legs have been faux painted in Rosewood which was super fashionable in the day, it showed you were ahead of all the current trends, The oversized brass castors are period and original to the chair as is the brass articulated mahogany reading slope, these are almost always broken and lost through time so to find a complete, functioning original is simply amazing As you can see the foot rest sits perfectly inside the frame, it slides out easily and has a height adjustment so you can have it flat or rested on the seat The chair has been fully restored to include being hand dyed this lovely deep cigar brown colour, the hide has natural imperfections and marks from honest use and fair ware, the frame has been lightly French polished being sure to keep all the original patina Dimensions Height:- 101.5cm Width:- 67.5cm Depth:- 89cm reclined depth with footstool 139.5cm Seat height:- 43.5cm In 1827, Robert Daws was one of the first to patent a reclining mechanism for a chair. Three years before his competitor George Minter, his application was approved for, “Certain Improvements on Chairs or Machines Calculated to Encrease Ease and Comfort” (Patent Office 1827). The picture above shows the mechanism that was included within the patent for an ingenious spring loaded, ratchet system operated from underneath the armrest. This system appears on this piece and is in superb working order. Daw’s chair were numerous in decorative design but are of the quality to have featured in Christopher Gilbert’s renowned publication, “The Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840”. J.C Loudon, the famous domestic style commentator and designer also gave mention of the chair within his hugely popular, “Encyclopaedia of Cottage, Farm and Villa Architecture & Furniture” of 1833 which saw numerous reprints throughout the following decades. Loudon writes, “Figure 1913 is a view of Dawe’s reclining chair for an invalid the position of the back of this chair can be varied at pleasure, and the projecting part in front can be elongated, or adjusted to any slope. When it is not wanted to be used as a reclining chair, the back can be fixed upright and the front projection slid in, so as to produce the appearance of a common easy chair.” (1833, Loudon) It must be remembered that the term invalid was also regularly equated with sufferers of gout during this period. This example remains in the same working order as it would have been when it appeared in Loudon’s publication. The chair, although manufactured in the 1830’s, bears the patent stamps to the back legs for 1827 The original instructions for using this chair are as follows “Manner of using R. Daws’s Patent Recumbent Easy Chair. A person while sitting in the chair may fix the back to any inclination by raising the spring beneath that part of the arm where the hand rests, and while holding up both springs, press or draw the arms backward or forward to the desired situation and having loose the spring both at the same time, the back of the chair will be found perfectly safe to recline against. The back may also be raised from behind without touching the springs, or by a person at each side, the dress having been first removed out of the way of the motion of the elbows.” Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask. Any questions please feel free to ask before you bid. Condition Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description around condition Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of cracking creasing and wear, we recommend regular waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade.
  • Creator:
    Robert Daws (Maker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 39.97 in (101.5 cm)Width: 26.58 in (67.5 cm)Depth: 35.04 in (89 cm)Seat Height: 17.13 in (43.5 cm)
  • Style:
    William IV (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1830
  • Condition:
    Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    West Sussex, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2823342511802

More From This Seller

View All
Restored William IV Reclining Library Reading Brown Leather Armchair Footstool
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning 100% period correct William IV circa 1835 mahogany reclining library reading armchair with built in footrest This chair...
Category

Antique 1830s British William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

RARE ORIGINAL REGENCY X FRAMED RECLINING BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD ARMCHAiR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite original X Framed circa 1810-1820 Regency Reclining brown leather Chesterfield tufted armchair that has been fully restored What a...
Category

Antique 1810s British Regency Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Antique Regency 1810 Restored Brown Leather Chesterfield Armchair Reading Slope
By Chesterfield, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning fully restored hand dyed Cigar brown leather, period Regency Chesterfield Library armchair complete with original mahogany...
Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Antique Restored William iv Period circa 1830 Wingback Brown Leather Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very uniquely shaped, Circa 1830 William IV, brown leather and Mahogany Wingback armchair with ornately carved frame A simply glorious pie...
Category

Antique 1830s English William IV Wingback Chairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Stunning Show Framed Early Victorian Chesterfield Brown Leather Library Armchair
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this rare fully restored circa 1840 show framed Chesterfield tufted hand dyed brown leather library reading chair...
Category

Antique 1840s English Early Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

ANTIQUE THOMAS CHIPPENDALE CLAW & BALL CARVED BERGERE BROWN LEATHER ARMCHAiR
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly collectable, Circa 1900-1920 Thomas Chippendale style carved with Claw & Ball feet and hand dyed brown leather seat armchair...
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Bergere Chairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

You May Also Like

Regency Leather Upholstered Mahogany Reclining Armchair, circa 1830
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A remarkable circa 1830 English, possibly Irish, late regency style George IV; William IV period reclining armchair of large scale having leather upholstered carved mahogany frame, t...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Lounge Chairs

Materials

Brass

Mid 19th century French empire mahogany and leather reclining chair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality mid 19th century French mahogany and leather reclining chair circa 1860. We are pleased to be able to offer this stunning french flame mahogany reclining chair for sale...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

19th Century Arts & Crafts Carved Walnut Leather Library Armchair
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A very stylish, high-quality late 19th-century Victorian period Arts & Crafts carved walnut leather library armchair. Circa 1880 and in lovely original condition. This attractive lib...
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Unusual Antique Quality William IV Leather and Mahogany Library Chair
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual antique quality William IV leather and mahogany library chair having a newly reupholstered seat and back in a quality chestnut colour leather, shaped open arms with turned su...
Category

Antique 19th Century English William IV Armchairs

Materials

Other

19th Century William IV Period Mahogany & Leather Library Armchair, circa 1835
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A very stylish, high-quality 19th-century William IV period library armchair in mahogany and buttoned leather. Circa 1835 and in lovely original condition. This attractive library ar...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British William IV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

French 17th Century Walnut and Leather Covered Reclining or Ratchet Chair
Located in Troy, NY
Reclining or "Ratchet" Chair of Louis XIV period and very comfortable proportions, the turned front legs and stretcher, connected to the square back legs by flat H-stretchers, seat, back, armrests and seat-cushion covered in beige leather, the seat with hinges connecting the back and with wrought iron...
Category

Antique Late 17th Century French Louis XIV Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut