Chair - Wood, Leather

Pair of mahogany dining chairs with turned spindle backs and seats upholstered in dark green leather - England, c. 1890–1910.

Object: pair of support chairs
Origin: England, United Kingdom
Era: late 19th century / early 20th century
Recommended dating: c. 1890–1910
Style: Late Victorian / Edwardian, with Georgian influence
Material: mahogany
Seats: upholstered and covered in dark green leather
Dimensions: 94 × 44 × 37 cm each

Pair of English mahogany chairs featuring a light, elegant frame, tall open backs, and seats upholstered in dark green leather.

Each backrest is bounded by two tall uprights, slightly curved, extending directly to the rear legs. The upper crest rail presents a softly wavy/ serpentine profile, without applied ornamentation, terminating laterally at the uprights.

The central field is filled by five slender, turned vertical spindles, alternating cylindrical segments with small baluster elements. The spindles fit downward into a cross-stretcher with a profile cut into successive semicircular arches.

This use of decorative spindles is quite characteristic of late Victorian and Edwardian British chairs. An English Victorian set circa 1870 is described, for example, with backs over a row of turned spindles; later Edwardian chairs retain the same language, albeit in a lighter form.

The seats are slightly trapezoidal and padded, upholstered in very dark green leather, currently showing patina, craquelure, and pronounced wear.

The front legs show a discreet curving motion, while the rear legs extend the inclined design of the backrest uprights. The lower framework is reinforced by simple square-section stretchers.

Leather: the leather shows considerable aging, but, despite wear, lends character to the set. If reupholstery is necessary, a similar dark green leather would be coherent with the current appearance.

Overall condition: normal signs of use are evident. There is a transverse crack/fracture in the upper area of one of the backrest uprights near the junction with the crest rail. It is a perfectly feasible and simple repair.