This beautiful Victorian 'Iron-Back' armchair was re-upholstered in the early 1970s by my client’s aunt. Not only did she undertake the upholstery but she also created a bespoke needlepoint fabric to cover it in. We know it was completed around 1971 as she helpfully incorporated her initial CML and the date into the needlework. Since her passing, the chair has remained a much-loved part of the family, in constant use until, well, the seat fell in…!
My task, was to repair the seat and make this chair more 'as good as old' than 'as good as new' with the aim of retaining as much of the work already completed and, to replace the hand-stitched needle point fabric on the new seat. This is easier said than done. The fabric on the seat and the back was carefully removed and cleaned. The seat was then rebuilt from the frame up using hand springing and upholstery stitching techniques to create a comfortable seat using natural materials.
It was ever so satisfying to replace the needlepoint and see the chair as it would have been back in 1971. This chair was likely made and first upholstered in the mid-19th century when Iron back chairs were very popular due to their comfort and the ability to make a curved shape using an iron rod rather than wood. To think it is still going strong more than 150 years later is a testament to the good quality materials and techniques employed by all the upholsterers who have laid their hands on this chair over the years. The chair has been returned to the family where it will continue to be part of their lives for many years to come.