What is a Chesterfield?
Chesterfield sofas feature rolled arms at the same height as the back, and typically have deep button tufting and nailhead trim. The design was a common sight in Victorian libraries and parlors of nobility as far back as a century ago.
With a timeless design and unexpected visual interest, Chesterfields have earned a place in history. The furniture’s unique shape and luxurious finish will add a refined feel to any home.
As the British expanded their empire, new values, styles, and fashions followed into the growing colonies. The Chesterfield was one such item. It was exported and quickly introduced to developing territories, even as far as Canada, India, and Australia. By the 1920’s, the Chesterfield positioned itself as the quintessential style of the age–every self-respecting gentleman owned at least one. With its elegant look and distinguishing features, it’s easy to see how the Chesterfield sofa remains a global icon that transcends time.The Elusive History of the Chesterfield September 20, 2017
Possibly the most recognizable and iconic style of furniture, the Chesterfield sofa has a long, mysterious history. Tailored and sophisticated, this celebrated design has adapted through the centuries of interior trends and has now become a must-have for any home. The Chesterfield is a tufted leather sofa with rolled arms at an even height with the back of the couch, often decorated with elaborate wooden feet or brass nail heads. Found in an abundance of colors and fabrics, the Chesterfield is both comfortable and posh.
Chesterfield Sofa, Jean-Marc Fray Antiques
Chesterfield Living Room, Timothy Oulton
Though the first recorded use of the word “chesterfield” was not until 1900, many documents, paintings, and anecdotes depict the Chesterfield sofa decades before the turn of the century. Lore surrounding the style describes Lord Phillip Stanhope, the 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773) as the originator of this seminal design.
Stanhope, known by his contemporaries as a fashionable gentleman, is said to have requested a local craftsman to produce a sofa on which he could sit in comfort, while also wrinkling his extravagant clothing. Despite the widespread knowledge of this story, there is no proof of the Chesterfield being procured in such a way. In fact, there is no concrete evidence of it’s mysterious beginnings at all.
