Where does the name 'Voltaire armchair' come from?

The name is a popular 19th-century French designation evoking the image of the philosopher Voltaire resting in a large, comfortable high-backed chair. It does not refer to a model made for or by Voltaire, but to a style of wing armchair that emerged during the Restoration period.

How do I tell a genuine antique Voltaire armchair from a reproduction?

Examine the joinery — look for mortise-and-tenon construction and wooden pegs rather than modern screws. Check for a natural wood patina, hand-tied coil springs beneath the seat, and brass or porcelain castors. Synthetic foam filling or machine-cut joints point to a modern reproduction or a heavily restored piece.

What is the typical price range for an antique Voltaire armchair?

Expect to pay between £300 and £700 for a sound example with renewed upholstery. A Napoléon III piece in original velvet on carved walnut legs can reach £1,300 or more, depending on the condition of the tufting, the quality of the wood and any documented provenance or maker's label.

Can an antique Voltaire armchair be re-upholstered without losing value?

Yes, provided the work is entrusted to a specialist in antique seating who uses traditional techniques: webbing, hand-tied springs and natural horsehair padding. A sympathetic re-cover in a period-appropriate fabric — wool velvet, silk or leather — preserves and can even enhance the chair's value.

Which fabrics are most suitable for covering a Voltaire armchair?

Cotton or wool velvet, brocaded silk and patinated leather are the most faithful to the 19th-century spirit. Avoid shiny synthetics. For everyday use, a heavy cotton velvet or a durable wool fabric offers the best balance between period authenticity and long-term wear.

Antique Voltaire Armchairs

71 objects found

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16th century and before 17th century 18th century 19th century 20th century

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Art Déco Art Nouveau Contemporary Design Directoire Empire French Regency Gothic Louis XIII Louis XIV Louis XV Louis XVI Louis-Philippe Medieval Modern Art Napoléon III Orientalist Renaissance Restauration Transition

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Alsace Bretagne Île-de-France Languedoc Savoie Бордо Лотарингия Овернь 勃艮第巴斯克地区普罗旺斯诺曼底

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16th century and before 17th century 18th century 19th century 20th century

No matching tags

-Corner cupboards

-Four doors cupboards

-One door cupboards

-Small cupboard

-Two doors cupboards ▸

High cupboards

Antique jewelery

Antique mirrors

Antique mirrors ▸

Mercury mirror Murano mirror Trumeau venitian mirror

Antique Photography

Antique tables ▸

Card Table Consoles Farmhouse tables Low tables Monestry tables Occasional tables Pedestal table Round tables

Antique tapestry

Antique textiles ▸

Lacework

Antique wheapons

Antiquites industrielles

Architectural elements ▸

Bathroom elements Doors Fire places Flooring Garden furniture Stairs Tiles Wood panelling

Bedroom suites ▸

Beds Bedside tables

Billiard

Bookcases

Bronze ▸

Animal bronzes

Cabinets

Cartonnier

Ceramics ▸

Chinaware earthenware Pottery 亚洲陶器

Chest of drawers ▸

Commode arbalete Commode sauteuse Commode tombeau Military chests Pine chests of drawers

Chests

Clocks ▸

Clocks Wristwatch

Curiosities & Collections ▸

Antique Canes Antique Fans Archaeology Freemasonry Medals & Decorations Numismatics Objects of Curiosity Philately Tobacciana & Opium

Decorative furniture

Decorative objects

Desks ▸

Bureau cylinder top desk Flat top desk Slope top desks

Dressers

Dressing tables

English furniture ▸

English chests of drawers English wardrobes

Fairground art

Fishing-Hunting

Glassware

Glazed cabinets

Hallstand

Kitchenelia

Lighting ▸

Chandeliers

Miscellaneous ▸

Advertising aeronautica Folk Art Miniatures Musical instruments Old tools Sport memorabilia Taxidermy Vineyard antique

Nautical antiques ▸

Model boats Objects

Oeuvres d'art ▸

Primitive Art Sacred art

Old documents ▸

Antique Drawings Livres anciens

Old Frame

Old toys

Oriental furniture ▸

Oriental cupboards Seating

Oriental objects

Painted furniture

Paintings

Pens & writting ▸

Writting box

Pewter

Posters ▸

Advertising posters Cinema posters

Pottery

Scientific instruments ▸

Antique barometers Chronometers Globes Octants Sextants

Sculptures

Seating ▸

Armchairs Chairs Chaises longues Fauteuil bergère Fauteuil cabriolet Fauteuil chesterfield Fauteuil crapaud Fauteuil dagobert Fauteuil voltaire Leather armchairs Sofas Stools

Shop fittings

Sideboard

Silverware ▸

Argent massif Métal argenté

Tableware

Vineyard antiques

Vintage luggage

Wardrobes ▸

Armoires Pine cupboards Wedding armoire

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