A Carver chair is commonly known as a dining chair with arms and is usually found at the head (and now also foot) of the table. There are several theories about how this useful chair got its name with some attributing it to an example owned by John Carver (c1576-1621), founder of the Massachusetts Colony in the US. Others simply see it as a reference to the role of the head of the table who usually ‘carves’ the meat. Whatever the true origin of the name, Carver chairs were notably grander than the surrounding dining chairs not only with beautiful arms but also slightly taller backs.
During the age of Mahogany, Carvers would sport very refined pierced backs, slender tapering legs and out swept arms. By the Victorian age the fashion for excess led Carvers to become ever more fanciful and over-upholstered with ornate turnings and needlework. The Art Deco Period finally swept away those ideals and, in its place, the humble Carver was a paired back refined chair which gently embraced the sweeping curves of modernity. Today the Carver can be found in use far away from the dining table, either as a desk chair, bedroom chair or spare hall chair. Whichever spot you place it you can rely on the fact that antique and vintage Carver chairs will be well made (usually of Mahogany, Oak, Elm or Beech), appealing and able to withstand and serve the people they are intended for.
At LoveAntiques we have an impressive and ever-changing range of antique and vintage Carver chairs for all your seating needs.
Timeless Furniture UK
Carolean Carved Oak High Back Chair
£ 275
Graham Deakin Antiques
Rosewood Ming Chair
£ 325
Graham Deakin Antiques
Pair of Mouseman Carvers
£ 2,750
£ 2,399
18th Century Set of 4 Cromwellian Style Walnut Barley Twist Carver Dining Armchairs
£ 2,399
Leeds Antiques
chapmanpugh modern antiques
Excellent Set of 6 (4+2) Mahogany Hepplewhite Style Dining Chairs c.1900
£ 1,850
Excellent Set of 6 (4+2) Mahogany Hepplewhite Style Dining Chairs c.1900
£ 1,850
chapmanpugh modern antiques
Campbell Vintage
Primitive Irish Vernacular Country Armchair
£ 1,280
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Antique Farmhouse Lathe Back Chair
£ 225
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Austrian Period Solid Elm Armchairs
£ 1,250
Holmes Antiques
Fine 18th Century Gothic Chippendale Armchair
£ 2,800
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Danish Rosewood and Leather Armchair by Arne Vodder
£ 1,375
London City Antiques
Quality Antique Pair of Figured Mahogany Desk / Carver Chairs
£ 1,950
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
French Mahogany & Leather Library Chair Circa 1820s
£ 750
French Mahogany & Leather Library Chair Circa 1820s
£ 750
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Italian Gilt Wood Savonarola Chair
£ 1,500
Wickersley Antiques
An Unusual Ash and Elm Windsor Chair
£ 350
Wickersley Antiques
A Small 17th Century Wainscot Chair Oak
£ 450
Wickersley Antiques
A Nice Oak Wainscott Chair 17th Century
£ 675
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Georgian Windsor Elbow Armchair
£ 1,250
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Regency Period Mahogany Armchair
£ 1,650
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique c.1830 Regency Mahogany Dining Chairs - Set of 8 (6 Plus 2), Fine Quality
£ 3,496
Antique c.1830 Regency Mahogany Dining Chairs - Set of 8 (6 Plus 2), Fine Quality
£ 3,496
Prior & Willis Antiques
London City Antiques
Large Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Throne Armchair
£ 1,125
Stalham Antique Gallery
Sheraton Period Carver Chair / Desk Chair
£ 180
Founders Antiques
Mid Century Brutalist X-frame Oak Desk Chair / Elbow Chair
£ 275
Founders Antiques
Mid Century Brutalist X-frame Oak Desk Chair / Elbow Chair
£ 275
Alain Michel Antiques
Regency Mahogany Desk Chair / Armchair Circa 1810
€ 750
Wickersley Antiques
A Super Yew Wood High Windsor Chair Allsop Worksop
£ 950
Harry Raine Antiques
Carved Oak Arm Chair - Carved Oak Desk Chair
£ 95
Hingstons Antiques
Regency Mahogany Desk Chair
£ 695
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Windsor Armchair
£ 395
Prior & Willis Antiques
Pair of Georgian Revival Mahogany Elbow Carver Dining Chairs - Antique Quality c.1900
£ 1,046
Pair of Georgian Revival Mahogany Elbow Carver Dining Chairs - Antique Quality c.1900
£ 1,046
Prior & Willis Antiques
Penderyn Antiques
Antique 19th Century Windsor Armchair
£ 450
Victoria Antiques
Art Nouveau Mahogany Armchair
£ 195
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Windsor Armchair
£ 475
House of Clarnold
18th Century Carved Oak Yorkshire Armchair
£ 495
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Outstanding Set Ten Queen Anne Walnut Dining Chairs
£ 1,995
Marylebone Antiques
Set of Six Danish Teak Vintage Dining Chairs by Ib Kofod Larsen
£ 3,950
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Georgian Style Mahogany Carver Armchairs
£ 675
Penderyn Antiques
Antique 19th Century Windsor Armchair
£ 450
Matthew Coles Antiques
Library Chair - in Need of Reupholstered
£ 475
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Chair Jenks & Wood
£ 495
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Rosewood & Leather Armchairs by Andrew Milne
£ 2,450