19th century Porter's chair, £2,900
I've always wanted a Porter's chair. I've been looking for a bargain one for ages. There was a really tatty pink velour one with a few rips in it on Ebay a year or so ago. I faffed about it for so long I ended up missing it. It finally went for £80 which pissed me off. Mind you it needed completely recovering so would have probably cost a fortune.
I think they're a bit of a statement. I love the Venetian glass curtain pelmets in this picture too
This one is like an upmarket version of a peacock chair. I've always fancied a peacock chair as well but I don't know where I'd put it.
This leather one's great but I don't think it would work in my house, it might be too overpowering
This one is currently on Ebay for £5,580! They're certainly not cheap! My friend's dad has one like this.
They had one in my favourite 1970's period drama The Duchess of Duke Street. Anyone remember it? I love it! I have the whole lot on DVD if anyone fancies seeing it.
Sorry for the crap picture but you can just about see it here
This one came up on Ebay for £100
I would say this was made in the 1920's
It wouldn't be my first choice of fabric but I don't mind it at all. I decided to put a bid on. I'm supposed to be paying the water rates which is £370. I thought I could probably blag it for another month so put a bid on of, you guessed it £370. Unfortunately I was outbid and it went for £420. Still a great price for something like this as original ones are quite rare. There's lots of repro ones but they're not for me.
I also came across this one. If you have more money than sense you can have one of these made for your dog or cat. Fabric and white leather studded mini porter's chair complete with a sheepskin rug for £1,200! Hmmm.
What do you think of Porter's chairs?
Is there a particular piece of furniture you'd love to own? xxx
30 comments:
Oh Christina, I'm sorry that you didn't get your chair. It would have looked so wonderful with new fabric.
The Porter bed for pets though...well that's just for people who have more money than taste!
Christina, you & I are exactly alike...a handbag before the electricity bill is just SO me! I love these chairs (not the huge ones, which look like they belong in a gentlemen's club), hang in there & you'll get one. I mean, just how much would the shipping be? And over 300$ for 1 month's water seems amazingly high. :)'s
Oh, you simply must get one! I have an old leather one quite similar to the one you've pictured from ebay. I found it one rainy afternoon whilst shopping for a client. Of course I bought it for myself! It's one of my most favourite pieces in the house and I often hide Christmas present in the little hideaway beneath!! But don't tell anyone.
Oh they're SO you!! I can definitely see one at your place. I'd suggest ringing around for a couple of quotes on reupholstering too, in case you need it, old chairs can really hold smells!
Goodness! I never knew there was such a thing as a Porter's chair!
They're very regal though. Was that where the porter sat until his services were needed?
Originally?
A piece of furniture I'd love to own? A cushy, cozy, lovely small couch to put in my library. After some of the dogs die, I shall get it.
I love these, love that first one - £80 seems like a bargain altho yes, the reupholstery etc would have been a fortune I am sure.
And the pet ones....funny!! xx
In my fantasy dream office I always imagine a big banquette where I can go think, and no one will find me. The Porter's Chair would work nicely too! Good Luck finding the perfect one for you.
I've always wanted a huge window seat with thousand of cushions and rugs, like the mother had n Terms of Endearment. Preferably looking over trees and fields and flowers and ducks and deer. That's a bit Disney, isn't it??
Sarah xxx
Hi Christina! I remember The Duchess of Duke Street but I'd forgotten all about those porter's chairs. Thay are so you but wow, prohibitively expensive.
My favourite has to be that lovely cane number. We always call peacock chairs "porno chairs" after that Emmanuelle film of the 1970's. xxx
Love them. I adore curvacious antique style furniture (when I'm not in a stark, modernist mood... it when I have housework to do and it's easier to clean ha ha)...
...I think I know someone who would fork out on that pet chair. She adores her kitty more than people! It takes all sorts doesn't it?
These chairs are fab! But quite expensive, aren't they?
How would you get a chair delivered to you if you bought it off ebay? Is it a 'buyer must pick up' kind of arrangement?
Ali x
Christina when you get your Porters chair, you will officially be the Duchess of Dalston! It's a shame you were outbid on the 1920's one as it looks like a bit of a bargain and you could have lived with the fabric until you could have afforded to get it recovered. I love the cane one. I have always fancied a Lalanne sheep sculpture but as the original one's are worth a fortune I don't think I will be getting one any time soon.
XXX
Hi my dear! Sorry to hear you were outbid, but there is definitely one waiting for you, its meant to be!! They are ever so gorgeous and an I agree, an original is the way to go over a repro. I will keep my eyes peeled on my travels too!! xxx
ooooh arent they wonderful! I love peacock chairs too, and one came up in a local charity shop recently, but again there's the problem of where exactly to put it. I ended up avoiding that shop until it was sold..not easy when I had to drive past every day.
I love all antiques, but would really love a Chesterfield sofa and wing-back chair. I know...easy to obtain. My Mum has had one for the last 30 years and I just adore it. Unfortunately hubby wont entertain one...even though they are a brilliant investment and will last a lifetime. Life is hard when your OH has no taste *lol*
Keep looking out for a Porters Chair...you WILL get one eventually.
S xx
Aren't they gorgeous? I find the leather ones a bit too much personally but the fabric ones are beautiful and I'm rather taken with the rattan/cane one too.
I am torn between wanting a fainting couch/chaise longue and the world's cosiest window seat. Mind you, I'd also quite like a proper library so a real set of library steps would be rather nice too. Notice how they're all book related?
Love the porters chairs, good luck on your search - hope you find a bargain! I'd love a Biba Peacock Chair of course. x
oh i hope yuou manage to track one of these down, they are fab!
i have my eye on a brilliant cath kidston print armchair, just not quite sure i have space for it :S
Christina, you are a treasure. Thanks so much for popping over and commenting - I took your advice and changed my commenting layout. You're right, it's clever:)). I love the idea of Porter's chairs and it's a damn shame you missed out on the one that went for 420 quid - does this mean you have to pay the water rates now? Hehehe:))). No really, it's one of those coulda-been bargains that you never want to think about again isn't it? I could def see you curling up in an upholstered one, even better if it's a bit shabby with age. I would love to see the Duchess of Duke Street! xo
"I'm supposed to be paying the water rates which is £370. I thought I could probably blag it for another month so put a bid on ..."
Atta girl!
And remember, if you ever want any recovering doing we will do it for you at cost.
I really like the Porter's chairs. They are very unusual.
Hope you find a really great bargain on one.
Love you tons,
SB
I think that you would be fabulous sitting in it with all your wonderful dresses, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I can picture you!!
I would love to see The Duchess of Duke Street. I might be able to get it in amazon when I come back from Berlin, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Why do I get nerves????????? ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I am always travelling, and the day before I get the horrid feeling of leaving something important behind.
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I loved the Duchess of Duke St - I'm so impressed you have the dvd set, I need to come round to watch xx
Pay your water rates!!
Ha, I've never seen a Porter's chair before - they're surreal. If I had free choice I would certainly go for the 'more money than sense' one... For myself, bien sur!
Keep looking - I know you'll find one. Tatty might be the way to go, as you can take your time saving up for the restoration job! Don't hesitate! Love that 2nd pic centred between two windows - just fab (& like you love the pelmets). Duchess of Duke St? That takes me back - loved it!
Wow I love it .. I love old furniture as you know but having three dogs and two boys plus one slobby hubby I cannot have dine fabric furniture and remain as loving wife and mother.. but I am looking at some fabulous ones for the new guest suite .. were you will stay and no dogs allowed xx
I have just read this after a day spent ostensibly looking for outfits for a hair show, returning home with some shiny vintage items for moi. Fashion styling is a financially perilous career choice but I have taken inspiration from your water rates quote and applied it to my current situation = I reckon I can get away with not paying my storage fees (same as your water rates) for another month. Good luck with your pursuit for the perfect chair. The grander the better x
I love the wicker one. What I really really want for myself is a ball chair. I will make it happen one day! xx
My fave is the pink one, will make me feel so Queen like.
Dear Christina, if you ever go to NYC make sure you have lunch at BG on the top floor at Bergdorf Goodman. The decor is splendid and these chairs are in Robin Egg Blue,
In the fall sit by the large windows, the contrast with the copper leaves of Central Park will really make you feel like a Dutchess. Hugs ML
Hi Christina - love your blog! I have always loved these chairs too. I am going to be doing a post on them soon. Do you know where the Porter for your pup came from? That one cracked me up!
Linda
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