Wingback Chairs
1810s English Regency Antique Wingback Chairs
Hardwood, Leather
1880s French Rococo Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-18th Century European Rococo Antique Wingback Chairs
Wood
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century French Rococo Antique Wingback Chairs
Wood
20th Century American Wingback Chairs
Velvet, Wood
1950s English Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
1960s American Queen Anne Vintage Wingback Chairs
Damask, Maple
Early 20th Century British Wingback Chairs
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century German Rococo Antique Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Nutwood
2010s British Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood, Mahogany
20th Century British Wingback Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Central American Wingback Chairs
Horn, Leather
20th Century English Wingback Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century British George III Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Regency Wingback Chairs
Rattan
Late 20th Century American Regency Wingback Chairs
Leather, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century North American Regency Wingback Chairs
Velvet
20th Century American Regency Wingback Chairs
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Regency Wingback Chairs
Leather
20th Century English Regency Wingback Chairs
Leather
1810s English Regency Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
1940s French Rococo Vintage Wingback Chairs
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
Early 20th Century European Regency Wingback Chairs
Damask, Upholstery, Wood
1980s English Regency Vintage Wingback Chairs
Leather
1810s English Regency Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather
Antique, New and Vintage Wingback Chairs
They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s.
Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace.
Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals, from mid-century modern spinoffs to playful contemporary adaptations (like the Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch, wherein the place of wings are furry ears — a cheeky send-up of Hans Wegner’s iconic mid-century Papa Bear chair).
Shop the most innovative versions of wingback chairs today on 1stDibs.