Wingback
Also called wing chair, wingchair, fireside chair, easy chair
An upholstered armchair featuring a tall backrest and forward-projecting side wings originally built to buffer hearthside drafts.
Form and History
A wingback is an upholstered armchair defined by a high backrest flanked by forward-projecting side panels. These distinct panels—the wings—originated in 17th-century England. Designed for fireside sitting, early models used tall backs and side cheeks to buffer cold room drafts while holding hearth heat around the sitter.
Proportions and Styles
Typically standing 42 to 52 inches tall, wingbacks anchor reading nooks, living rooms, and bedrooms. Style variations range from traditional Queen Anne frames with cabriole legs to deep-tufted leather Chesterfield builds and streamlined modern silhouettes.
Quality Construction
A durable piece starts with a kiln-dried hardwood frame secured by mortise-and-tenon joinery. Check for crisp tailoring where the wings merge into the arms, along with eight-way hand-tied spring systems and high-density seat cushions that maintain their structure through long evenings.
