The shape of a wingback chair is easily recognizable.
The wingback is perhaps one of the most easily recognizable styles of chair. You have probably sat in one at your grandparent's house or a doctor's office. Just because it was designed to perform a function no longer needed in today's home does not mean that it should be overlooked as a design statement. Take a second look at the wingback chair, and you may find that it can be an attractive addition to your decor. Does this Spark an idea?
History
High-backed upholstered armchairs that we now call wingbacks first appeared in the late 17th century. Their most striking feature was side pieces that projected forward from the back at a 90-degree or wider angle. These projections functioned to protect the user from cold drafts and to shield the face from intense heat when seated next to a fireplace. At that time, the wingback was known as a saddle cheek chair. They became very common throughout Europe and the American colonies by the next century.
The Traditional Wingback
The tradional wingback chairs of the 18th and 19th centuries were fully upholstered. English wingbacks had more curves to the arms, and wings and were often upholstered in leather with brass nailheads. French styles exhibited more angles on the wings, with exposed wood trim on arms and back and luxurious fabrics as covers. Traditional wingbacks were not skirted. Legs were straight or cabriole, depending on the period and country of origin. Classic hardwoods like cherry and mahogany were most often used.
Modern Interpretations
In the 20th and 21st centuries, wingbacks have enjoyed many variations. Wingback chairs in rattan and woven cane may not have upholstered wings. A wide variety of leg and arm styles are commonplace. Shapes can be exaggerated, with much taller or wider bodies or more pronounced wings than traditional chairs. Wood arms may be completely exposed and may be available in metallic paint finishes. Button tufting, skirts, fancy trimmings and nailheads in silver and other metals are details that allow the wingback chair to adapt to any decor.
Uses in the Home
Like the earliest versions, the wingback chair is still often used in front of the fireplace in a living room or den. Sometimes a pair of chairs creates a cozy seating area with a small table between them. One or two wingbacks can be found in many master bedrooms and sometimes large guest rooms. One of the modern versions of this chair makes an ideal piece for a young person's bedroom. A leather wingback remains perhaps the most favored chair for a home office or masculine study.
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