Wingback Chairs
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Wood, Oak
2010s British High Victorian Wingback Chairs
Beech
2010s British High Victorian Wingback Chairs
Leather
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Victorian Wingback Chairs
Brass
1870s English Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Oak
1860s English High Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Oak
1870s English High Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Hardwood, Upholstery
1880s Italian High Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Swedish Victorian Wingback Chairs
Leather, Wood
19th Century European Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Steel
1880s English High Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century European Victorian Wingback Chairs
Bamboo, Rattan
1810s English Regency Antique Wingback Chairs
Hardwood, Leather
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather, Hardwood
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century Irish Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Leather
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
19th Century English High Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
20th Century Spanish Victorian Wingback Chairs
Wicker, Rattan
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
19th Century English High Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century English Victorian Wingback Chairs
Leather
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Oak
19th Century English Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
1840s English Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Upholstery
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Wingback Chairs
Mahogany, Leather
20th Century American Victorian Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Victorian Wingback Chairs
Wicker
20th Century American Victorian Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wicker
1920s American Victorian Vintage Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
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.