Windsor Chairs
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Windsor Chairs
Upholstery
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Windsor Chairs
Chrome
Late 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Windsor Chairs
Velvet, Elm
20th Century American American Colonial Windsor Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Windsor Chairs
Papercord, Ash, Teak
Early 19th Century British Antique Windsor Chairs
Elm
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Windsor Chairs
Bouclé, Ash
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Windsor Chairs
Upholstery
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Windsor Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Late 19th Century English Antique Windsor Chairs
Yew
Mid-19th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Windsor Chairs
Iron
Late 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Windsor Chairs
Velvet, Elm
18th Century English George III Antique Windsor Chairs
Yew
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Windsor Chairs
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-19th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Antique Windsor Chairs
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Windsor Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Vintage, New and Antique Windsor Chairs
Today, antique and vintage Windsor chairs serve as timeless, elegant seating no matter what your interior design preferences might be. Given their long history and versatility, they’re definitely among the chairs you should know when furnishing your new house or apartment.
The Windsor chair originated in the early 1700s in the English town of Windsor. 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. 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. According to legend, the Windsor gained popularity after King George III took shelter in a cottage and was invited to sit on one. He was so charmed by the humble design that he had copies made for Windsor Castle.
With the arrival of the 1730s, Windsor chairs made their way to the American colonies. A handful of Windsor chairs are said to have appeared in Philadelphia by the late 1720s, 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. The types of Windsor chairs made in America included chairs with the bentwood bow backs that characterized the English originals as well as other types of chair backs, such as rounded sack backs, backs with tall extensions and more.
Windsor style seating, which includes side chairs, rocking chairs and more, is synonymous with lightness, durability and comfort. These chairs were attractive for their portability and gracefully simple form, which rendered the furnishings versatile. Windsor chairs were frequently used in the gardens of 18th-century country homes, where tea would be served or musical entertainment took place for a modest-sized party. Today, Windsor chairs complement various furniture styles and are a practical seating choice whether you’re outfitting your entertainment room or seeking patio furniture for meals in the great outdoors.
Not all of us have the space for a sumptuous Chesterfield armchair or wingback chair — the adaptable, admirable Windsor chair, alternatively, makes for an ideal accent chair in your living room, while a Windsor bench is a surefire finishing touch to elevate any entryway or foyer. And whether you’re mixing and matching seats for the dining table or in the market for a more streamlined look, consider the Windsor chair for either plan. Find a collection of antique and vintage Windsor chairs on 1stDibs today.