An easy chair, usually with a somewhat reclining back and open arms. Some versions were made with detachable book and feet rests. Also of interest are metamorphic chairs, a chair which opened up to become a set of library steps. These are quite rare and keenly sought because of their dual function, when they come onto the market.

A substantial table, equipped with drawers or cupboards, and sometimes with an adjustable reading rack, designed to stand in the centre of the library. They took the form either of a pedestal desk at which two people could sit opposite each other, or of a more conventional table form. The tops were generally lined with tooled leather. Many Australian examples in red cedar and sometimes stained pine survive from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

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A Victorian leather desk chair, height of back 80 cm, height of…

Victorian Leather Desk Chair: Elegant and Functional Seating Option

A Victorian leather desk chair, height of back 80 cm, height of seat 50 cm, width across arms 66 cm

A fine Colonial Australian cedar library armchair with ornate…

Colonial Australian Cedar Library Armchair, Mid 19th Century, Ornate Design

A fine Colonial Australian cedar library armchair with ornate carved back and hand rests, mid 19th century, 51 cm across the arms

An antique English mahogany library armchair, circa 1850, 59 cm…

1850 English Mahogany Library Armchair, 59 cm Wide

An antique English mahogany library armchair, circa 1850, 59 cm across the arms

Pair of library armchairs, made by Gascoigne. Pair of wingback…

Gascoigne Wingback Library Armchairs in Red Leather with Studs

Pair of library armchairs, made by Gascoigne. Pair of wingback in studded, deep button, red leather with shaped legs. Height 105 cm, width 82 cm, depth 84 cm.

A Colonial Australian spade back cedar library chair, New South…

1850 Colonial Australian Cedar Library Chair, New South Wales Origin

A Colonial Australian spade back cedar library chair, New South Wales origin, circa 1850, 52 cm across the arms

An antique English rosewood reclining library chair, Louden…

English Rosewood Reclining Library Chair, Louden Design, Circa 1830

An antique English rosewood reclining library chair, Louden design, circa 1830, 104 cm high, 57 cm across the arms

Vintage swivel desk chair with leather upholstery, 75 cm x 75…

Vintage leather swivel desk chair, 75 cm x 109 cm

Vintage swivel desk chair with leather upholstery, 75 cm x 75 cm, 109 cm high

Antique oak desk chair 54 cm wide, 54 cm deep, 71 cm high

Antique Oak Desk Chair: Classic Style for Home Office

Antique oak desk chair 54 cm wide, 54 cm deep, 71 cm high

Swivel desk chair 58 cm wide, 53 cm deep, 78 cm high

Swivel Desk Chair: Compact and Comfortable Office Seating Solution

Swivel desk chair 58 cm wide, 53 cm deep, 78 cm high

An antique English mahogany reclining library chair, caned…

English mahogany reclining library chair with green leather cushions, 1840

An antique English mahogany reclining library chair, caned frame with dark green leather upholstered diamond button cushions, scroll arms, ring turned feet and original brass castors, circa 1840, 94 cm high, 62 cm across the arms

Oak desk chair, c.1960s by Nova Mobler, Denmark, blonde oak…

1960s Danish Oak Desk Chair with Grey Wool Upholstery

Oak desk chair, c.1960s by Nova Mobler, Denmark, blonde oak frame with grey woollen upholstery, height 77 cm

Vintage oak desk chair with adjustable height, 63 cm wide, 56…

Vintage Oak Desk Chair with Adjustable Height, 63 cm Wide

Vintage oak desk chair with adjustable height, 63 cm wide, 56 cm high

A Colonial cedar turned leg and scroll-arm library chair, in…

Colonial Cedar Library Chair in Andrew Lenehan Style, 1845

A Colonial cedar turned leg and scroll-arm library chair, in the style of Andrew lenehan. Australian, circa 1845. upholstered in burgundy and black decorative horsehair, 50 cm wide, 90 cm high

Good late 19th century leather library armchair, with a…

Late 19th Century Leather Library Armchair from Sir Warwick Fairfax

Good late 19th century leather library armchair, with a straight buttoned leather back and sloping sides and seat, with turned supports and covered seat on turned legs, covered in olive green leather, height 94 cm. Provenance: Purchased Bonhams 'Fairwater…

William IV mahogany and red leather library chair, c.1835 with…

William IV mahogany library chair with red leather upholstery

William IV mahogany and red leather library chair, c.1835 with rectangular back, with s-scroll arms on turned reeded legs on stretchers. Provenance: Ex-Mr and Mrs Rene Rivkin, Sotheby's, Sydney, June 2001, lot 219, then private collection, Sydney.

A George IV mahogany library bergere, upholstered in close…

George IV Mahogany Library Bergere with Leather Upholstery, 77cm Width

A George IV mahogany library bergere, upholstered in close nailed leather, the scrolled armrests above a reeded apron, on turned and reeded front legs. CITES permit May be required for export, width 77 cm

A fine pair of Biedermeier satin birch library chairs, circa…

1830s Biedermeier Satin Birch Library Chairs, Pair, 59cm Arms

A fine pair of Biedermeier satin birch library chairs, circa 1830s, 59 cm across the arms

A Georgian mahogany and leather upholstered library chair,…

Georgian Mahogany Library Chair with Leather Upholstery, Circa 1815

A Georgian mahogany and leather upholstered library chair, circa 1815, standing on ring turned legs

A George II upholstered mahogany library armchair, circa 1750,…

George II Mahogany Library Armchair with Acanthus Carvings

A George II upholstered mahogany library armchair, circa 1750, the brocade upholstered back, arms and seat standing on cabriole front legs carved with acanthus, ending in claw and ball feet

Napoleon III ebonised beech desk chair, c. 1860, scrolled back…

Napoleon III Ebonised Beech Desk Chair, c. 1860, Provenance Sydney

Napoleon III ebonised beech desk chair, c. 1860, scrolled back over swept arm supports, seat upholstered in close nailed woven leather, turned reeded legs terminating in a ball feet, height 74 cm, width 61 cm, depth 52 cm. Provenance: Ben Stoner Antiques,…

Contemporary library chair, folding out to library steps

Foldable Library Chair: Versatile Seating and Convenient Steps

Contemporary library chair, folding out to library steps

An Australian blackwood office chair, early 20th century, 97 cm…

Early 20th Century Australian Blackwood Office Chair

An Australian blackwood office chair, early 20th century, 97 cm high

An antique Australian blackwood and mountain ash desk chair…

Antique Australian Blackwood Desk Chair by Sikes

An antique Australian blackwood and mountain ash desk chair with crinoline stretchers, early 20th century, stamped 'Sikes', 93 cm high, 62 cm across the arms

A scarce library Chair/Folding ladder an unusual colonial era,…

Colonial Era Jarrah Library Chair/Ladder

A scarce library Chair/Folding ladder an unusual colonial era, Western Australian, jarrah metamorphic library chair with ladder back and folding frame. C.1900. Chair height: 89 cm. The ladder top step 88 cm

Two tan leather upholstered and steel framed office chairs, one…

Tan Leather Steel Office Chairs

Two tan leather upholstered and steel framed office chairs, one of cantilevered design, the other, a swivel based armchair

An unusual George III mahogany and leather upholstered desk…

George III Desk Chair with Leather Upholstery

An unusual George III mahogany and leather upholstered desk chair, English 18th century 88 cm high, 62 cm wide, approx, 53 cm deep. Provenance: Partridge London, 1973 (675 pounds)

Exceptional Irish Regency library armchair, mid 19th century,…

Irish Regency Library Armchair with Griffin Supports

Exceptional Irish Regency library armchair, mid 19th century, in the manner of Mack, Williams & Gibton, buttoned back brown leather upholstery, with two finely carved griffin supports, height 112 cm width 82 cm depth 55.5 cm. Provenance: Private…

Regency mahogany and cane library chair, c. 1820, the curved…

Regency Cane Library Chair with Suede Upholstery

Regency mahogany and cane library chair, c. 1820, the curved tub shaped frame with cane back, with suede upholstered seat, raised on two tapering carved front legs and two back sabre legs with brass castors

Antique oak and elm desk chair with swivel height adjustment,…

Antique Swivel Desk Chair with Height Adjustment

Antique oak and elm desk chair with swivel height adjustment, 63 cm wide, 63 cm deep

A pair of mid-Victorian rosewood and leather upholstered…

Victorian Rosewood Library Armchairs with Leather Upholstery

A pair of mid-Victorian rosewood and leather upholstered library armchairs, each with a shaped back above the open padded arms, the frames moulded and carved, each 105 cm high, 65 cm wide, 75 cm deep

An Australian cedar spade back carver or library chair, New…

1850 Australian Cedar Spade Back Library Chair

An Australian cedar spade back carver or library chair, New South Wales origin, circa 1850, 60 cm across the arms

An early Colonial spade back library chair made from 'Beauty…

Colonial Library Chair from Beauty Leaf Tree, Queensland (1845)

An early Colonial spade back library chair made from 'Beauty Leaf Tree' (*Calophyllum Inophyllum), Queensland origin, circa 1845, 51 cm across the arms. Calophyllum Inophyllum is a large fruit bearing plant, and a culturally important source of Tamanu oil…

A transitional style inlaid palisander desk armchair, circa…

Inlaid Palisander Desk Armchair, Transitional Style

A transitional style inlaid palisander desk armchair, circa 1920s, the tub shaped open frame armchair with inlaid curved back above down swept supports over a padded brown leather seat, plain apron and fluted tapering capped front legs. Height 74 cm,…

A pair of Edwardian walnut button backed library chairs, early…

Edwardian Walnut Button Backed Library Chairs

A pair of Edwardian walnut button backed library chairs, early 20th century, the foliate carved arched top rail above turned supports with scrolled reeded arms to a stuffover seat, raised on turned and fluted legs, and upholstered in an off white jacquard…

Victorian library chair, with hour glass back, upholstered in a…

Victorian Leather Library Chair with Mahogany and Casters

Victorian library chair, with hour glass back, upholstered in a buttoned brown leather with mahogany surrounds, raised on cabriole legs, with casters

Victorian library chair, with a carved crest rail, above a…

Victorian Leather Library Chair with Carved Crest and Cabriole Legs

Victorian library chair, with a carved crest rail, above a buttoned brown leather back, above upholstered arms, above a generous circular seat on slight cabriole legs

Desk chair for Thonet, bentwood on swivel base. Czech, c 1930s,…

Bentwood Swivel Chair by Thonet, 1930s

Desk chair for Thonet, bentwood on swivel base. Czech, c 1930s, 80 cm high, 60 cm wide, 55 cm deep.

A pair of Edwardian walnut button backed library chairs, early…

Edwardian Walnut Library Chairs with Button Backs

A pair of Edwardian walnut button backed library chairs, early 20th century, the foliate carved arched top rail above turned supports with scrolled reeded arms to a stuffover seat, raised on turned and fluted legs, and upholstered in an off white jacquard…

Pair of William IV bergere library chairs, one 19th century,…

William IV Bergere Library Chairs with Green Velvet Arms

Pair of William IV bergere library chairs, one 19th century, the other of a later date, each with green velvet arms raised on turned legs with brass castors

Frederick Scott for Hillie Ergonomic Supporto office chair,…

Black Leather Ergonomic Office Chair by Frederick Scott

Frederick Scott for Hillie Ergonomic Supporto office chair, black leather and aluminum

Frederick Scott for Hillie Ergonomic Supporto office chair,…

Scott Ergo Chair: Black Leather & Aluminum Support

Frederick Scott for Hillie Ergonomic Supporto office chair, black leather and aluminum

Frederick Scott for Hillie Ergonomic Supporto office chair,…

Black Leather Ergonomic Office Chair by Frederick Scott for Hillie

Frederick Scott for Hillie Ergonomic Supporto office chair, black leather and aluminum

A Georgian style English library armchair, finely carved…

Georgian Mahogany Library Armchair with Brass Castors

A Georgian style English library armchair, finely carved mahogany frame with brass castors and beige upholstery, 20th century, 88 cm high, 60 cm across the arms

A colonial cedar library chair, late 19th century, red velvet…

Colonial Cedar Library Chair with Red Velvet Upholstery

A colonial cedar library chair, late 19th century, red velvet upholstery with a reeded seat rail raised on turned legs with porcelain casters. Provenance: formerly in the the Sheriff's Residence, 1 camp crescent, Castlemaine, circa 1854

Library armchair, late 19th century, winged back with green…

Green Berber Wingback Armchair

Library armchair, late 19th century, winged back with green Berber upholstery, height 106 cm

An antique Australian revolving office chair, solid silky oak,…

Antique Australian Revolving Office Chair, Circa 1900

An antique Australian revolving office chair, solid silky oak, Queensland origin, circa 1900 62 cm across the arms

An antique metamorphic fold-over library steps chair,…

Metamorphic Library Chair with Parquetry Motif

An antique metamorphic fold-over library steps chair, Queensland maple and eucalypt with parquetry motif, late 19th century maker's label to underside 86 cm high

A metamorphic library chair in the Regency manner, converts to…

Regency Library Chair/Steps

A metamorphic library chair in the Regency manner, converts to a set of library steps, after an 1810 design by Morgan & Sanders, steps: 72 cm high, 58 cm wide, 94 cm deep

An antique English library armchair, finely carved mahogany…

Antique English Mahogany Library Armchair with Brass Castors

An antique English library armchair, finely carved mahogany frame with original brass castors and later upholstery, early 19th century, 88 cm high, 60 cm across the arms

Leather upholstered mahogany desk chair button leather…

Mahogany Desk Chair with Button Leather Upholstery

Leather upholstered mahogany desk chair button leather upholstery, height 83 cm, width 60 cm

Pair of library chairs, late 19th century Regency style, with…

Regency Style Library Chairs with Striped Green Velour Upholstery

Pair of library chairs, late 19th century Regency style, with striped green Velour upholstery, height 97 cm

Pair of Victorian mahogany library chairs 50 cm wide, 65 cm…

Victorian Mahogany Library Chairs

Pair of Victorian mahogany library chairs 50 cm wide, 65 cm deep, 87 cm high

Good Victorian mahogany desk chair, with a curved back above a…

Victorian mahogany desk chair with leather seat

Good Victorian mahogany desk chair, with a curved back above a centre pierced splat, above scrolled arms, with leather seat on turned legs

Two antique leather upholstered library chairs, 46 cm wide, 82…

Antique Leather Library Chairs - Pair

Two antique leather upholstered library chairs, 46 cm wide, 82 cm high

Design replica adjustable office chair, 80 cm wide, 60 cm deep,…

Replica Adjustable Office Chair

Design replica adjustable office chair, 80 cm wide, 60 cm deep, 110 cm high

Pair of Victorian mahogany library chairs 55 cm wide, 59 cm…

Victorian Mahogany Library Chairs (Pair)

Pair of Victorian mahogany library chairs 55 cm wide, 59 cm deep, 88 cm high

Steelcase adjustable office chair

Adjustable Steelcase Office Chair

Steelcase adjustable office chair

A Colonial library chair with splayed and ring turned legs,…

Colonial Library Chair with Carved Scroll Arm Supports

A Colonial library chair with splayed and ring turned legs, carved scroll arm supports, Australian cedar with brown leather upholstery, mid 19th century, 92 cm high, 64 cm across the arms

An Edwardian Arts & Crafts. metamorphic library steps,…

Arts & Crafts Library Chair with Metamorphic Steps

An Edwardian Arts & Crafts. metamorphic library steps, decorative bar backs to the chair, leather inserts to the steps. 38 x 33 x 85 cm.

An Australian blackwood revolving desk chair with red leather…

Victorian Blackwood Desk Chair with Red Leather Upholstery

An Australian blackwood revolving desk chair with red leather upholstery, late 19th century, ex Public Works Department, Melbourne, 69 cm across the arms

A hardwood desk chair, early 20th century, the open U shaped…

Early 20th Century Hardwood Desk Chair

A hardwood desk chair, early 20th century, the open U shaped back and arms above the moulded seat, on turned supports with a crinoline stretcher, height 80 cm, width 61 cm, depth 58 cm

An antique oak and leather library or desk chair, late 19th…

19th Century Oak and Leather Library Chair

An antique oak and leather library or desk chair, late 19th century, the button upholstered U shaped back with lion's head terminals, the upholstered seat on carved cabriole front supports with ball and claw feet with castors, height 82 cm, width 66 cm,…

Library tub chair Chesterfield with shaped front, and ox blood…

Oxblood Leather Library Tub Chair with Shaped Front

Library tub chair Chesterfield with shaped front, and ox blood deep button leather upholstery, height 75 cm, length 118 cm, depth 100 cm

An English rosewood and leather library chair, early 19th…

Rosewood and Leather Library Chair

An English rosewood and leather library chair, early 19th century, the rosewood frame accented with inlaid motifs, upholstered in studded worn orange leather to back, seat and arms, the arms terminating in scrolls, standing on turned foliate carved legs,…

Antique bentwood desk chair cane seat a/f, 61 cm wide, 85 cm…

Antique Bentwood Cane Seat Desk Chair (A/F)

Antique bentwood desk chair cane seat a/f, 61 cm wide, 85 cm high

19th century style desk chair with hand caned seat, 58 cm wide,…

Hand-caned 19th Century Desk Chair

19th century style desk chair with hand caned seat, 58 cm wide, 60 cm deep, 88 cm high

An oak swivelling desk chair, circa 1930, with later brocade…

1930 Oak Swivel Chair with Brocade Cushion

An oak swivelling desk chair, circa 1930, with later brocade cushion

An Irish Chippendale style carved open arm library chair, late…

Irish Chippendale Chair and Side Table Set

An Irish Chippendale style carved open arm library chair, late 18th century, together with a small conforming Chippendale style single drawer side table side table, the chair with down-swept arm supports and carved scroll feet, upholstered in green silk,…

Cutler & Son antique American oak office chair, 19th century,…

19th Century Antique Oak Office Chair by Cutler & Son

Cutler & Son antique American oak office chair, 19th century, stamped, a. Cutler & Son, buffalo, N.Y. Pat. Nov. 17, '85, 54 cm across the arms

Chesterfield style wingback Burgundy leather library chair and…

Burgundy Chesterfield Wingback Chair & Footstool Set

Chesterfield style wingback Burgundy leather library chair and footstool, late 20th century,

Library chair Louis Vxi style wing back armchair gilded finish…

Gilded Louis VXI Wingback Armchair with Animal Upholstery

Library chair Louis Vxi style wing back armchair gilded finish over carvings and frolicking animal pattern upholstery, height 110 cm, length 74, cm, depth 74 cm

Late Georgian mahogany library chair 60 cm wide, 62 cm deep, 78…

Georgian Mahogany Library Chair - 78cm High

Late Georgian mahogany library chair 60 cm wide, 62 cm deep, 78 cm high

William IV library chairs, a pair of rare mahogany armchairs…

Rare Mahogany Library Chairs with Carved Legs

William IV library chairs, a pair of rare mahogany armchairs with tulip turned and carved front legs

Library chair Chippendale with carved Grotesques and lion paw…

Chippendale Library Chair with Grotesques and Velvet Upholstery

Library chair Chippendale with carved Grotesques and lion paw feet mahogany with velvet back and studded upholstery, height 103 cm

Antique American Heywood Bros & Co desk chair with leather…

Antique Leather Desk Chair by Heywood Bros & Co

Antique American Heywood Bros & Co desk chair with leather upholstery, 57 cm wide, 90 cm high

Cutler slat back desk chair with hand caned seat and maker's…

Hand-caned Slat Back Desk Chair with Maker's Mark

Cutler slat back desk chair with hand caned seat and maker's mark stamped to under side

A leather upholstered, button down back, swivel action, desk…

Swivel Leather Desk Chair with Buttoned Back

A leather upholstered, button down back, swivel action, desk chair

A Louis XV style carved giltwood salon suite, 19th century,…

19th Century Louis XV Giltwood Salon Suite

A Louis XV style carved giltwood salon suite, 19th century, comprising a canape, a pair of fauteuil and a pair of salon chairs, each with a floriate carved crest rail centred by a shell anthemion, upholstered in cream floral satin, length of back of the…

A mahogany and leather desk chair, in the antique manner, with…

Mahogany and Leather Antique-Style Desk Chair

A mahogany and leather desk chair, in the antique manner, with a padded leather arching crest and padded arms, having a carved lyre device to the back, carved scroll details to the rear supports above a saddle seat, raised on ball and baluster legs…

A large Irish Chippendale style mahogany open arm library chair,…

Irish Chippendale Mahogany Library Chair, 1765

A large Irish Chippendale style mahogany open arm library chair, circa 1765, with richly carved rococo motifs to the knees and scrolled cabriole feet

William IV mahogany framed library chair, scrolling open arms…

Mahogany Library Chair with Scrolling Arms and Buttoned Back

William IV mahogany framed library chair, scrolling open arms on turned front supports with buttoned back upholstery

Vintage oak swivel desk chair

Oak Swivel Desk Chair - Vintage Style

Vintage oak swivel desk chair

A leather like, button down upholstered desk chair, having…

Studded Leather Desk Chair with Casters

A leather like, button down upholstered desk chair, having studs, arms and a cushion base, upon casters

A Gascoigne button down leather upholstered adjustable desk…

Gascoigne Leather Adjustable Desk Chair with Button Down Design

A Gascoigne button down leather upholstered adjustable desk chair having arms, wheels and button down base and back

Leather upholstered library chair 92 cm wide, 85 cm deep, 95 cm…

Leather Library Chair - 92x85x95 cm

Leather upholstered library chair 92 cm wide, 85 cm deep, 95 cm high

Victorian carved mahogany library chair well upholstered in red…

Red Velvet Library Chair

Victorian carved mahogany library chair well upholstered in red velvet

Matthews Furniture burgandy leather upholstered swivelling…

Burgundy Leather Executive Swivel Chair

Matthews Furniture burgandy leather upholstered swivelling executives office chair

Romanian bentwood desk chair

Bentwood Romanian Desk Chair

Romanian bentwood desk chair

Regency mahogany and cane library bergere, c. 1815, in the…

Regency Library Bergere with Cane and Leather Cushions

Regency mahogany and cane library bergere, c. 1815, in the manner of Gillows, the rectangular reeded back and padded arms above turned vase-shaped supports, on reeded turned tapering legs with brass capped castors, brown leather cushions, height 98 cm.…

A William IV mahogany library chair, with 'S' shaped arm…

William IV Mahogany Library Chair with Red Leather Upholstery

A William IV mahogany library chair, with 'S' shaped arm supports and turned and reeded legs on brass castors. Covered with red leather upholstery. England, circa 1835. Provenance: The collection of Mr & Mrs Rene Rivkin, Sotheby's Sydney, 3 June 2001, lot…

A fine pair of William IV mahogany library chairs, each…

William IV Library Chairs in Olive Green Leather

A fine pair of William IV mahogany library chairs, each upholstered in olive green leather. The reeded 'S' shaped seat supported on two reeded and tapered turned front legs and two plain back legs with brass castors. England, circa 1830. Provenance:…

A green leather upholstered desk chair

Green Leather Desk Chair

A green leather upholstered desk chair

A green upholstered mahogany desk chair in the antique manner,…

Green Antique-Style Mahogany Desk Chair

A green upholstered mahogany desk chair in the antique manner, the button back chair with padded sides and a stuffover seat, with a showframe and scroll end supports, raised on square section scroll legs, height 90 cm, width 62 cm, depth 67 cm

Walter Burley Griffin desk chair, Japanese oak, Australia, c…

Griffin's Oak Desk Chair

Walter Burley Griffin desk chair, Japanese oak, Australia, c 1918, 110 cm high, 58 cm wide, 61 cm deep. Provenance: Newman College Melbourne University. Geoffrey Hatty Applied Arts, Australian Modernist Collection

A leather desk chair, length of back 77 cm

77cm Leather Desk Chair

A leather desk chair, length of back 77 cm

A French library chair, carved walnut with brown studded…

French Walnut Library Chair with Studded Leather

A French library chair, carved walnut with brown studded leather, 20th century, 52 cm across the arms