Lovely carved armchairs – Biedermeier? Scandinavian?

Please note: This is just my own analysis as I’m trying to improve at identifying furniture styles and dating pieces, so I’d really appreciate any corrections or insights.

These armchairs likely date to the mid-19th century and exhibit strong Scandinavian Biedermeier influences, with lingering echoes of the late Empire style. The light, solid wood frames—possibly elm—paired with ebonized turned elements and a carved front apron suggest regional, handcrafted origins rather than industrial production. The embossed leather panel on the backrest and the refined proportions point to use in a formal salon or library setting. While certain elements, like the upholstery, may have been updated over time, the overall design aligns well with Northern European furniture traditions from around 1840–1870.

I’m considering picking them up as a restoration project, but it’s a 6-hour round trip—so I’m trying to justify the drive by anchoring some historical or stylistic value to the pieces (they’re offered at $40 each). Thoughts or corrections are most welcome.

 

What has the seller said about them? Do you have any other views such as a side view, close-up of what looks like applied wood onlays, and photos showing construction?
I'm not seeing the age that you suggest, nor the Biedermeier influence, but I'm certainly no furniture expert and know little of Biedermeier other than some googling. I look forward to seeing what others say.

 

The seller only has the title "Old chairs" in the ad.

I suspect the carvings on the front apron and back might be applied rather than cut directly into the frame, which would suggest a later piece or a stylistic revival?

I definitely see how the proportions and materials could point to a more recent origin than I initially assumed. My thought around Biedermeier was based mainly on the light wood combined with ebonized accents and the restrained classical ornamentation — but that could just as easily be part of a revival style, or even a pastiche.

 

I'm not seeing that age either. Old enough though to have had the seats recovered at some point.

Debora

 

6 hours drive starting to seem a bit to long for me now lol

 

I don't see Biedermeier either, other than, like Biedermeier, it was made for the middle classes.

I am not hearing those echoes, but you have a very nice floral style of describing the chairs. While poetic, it doesn't add to the chairs themselves.

Well, the seller was right.

 

I guess i was trying to sell the 6 hour drive to myself haha! Ive decided against it now.

 

Always good to bounce an idea off the forum.
It may bounce right off track, but sometimes that is best.

 

Indeed! Thanks haha

 

These definitely have some age to them but I would think late 19th century at the very earliest. The carvings do appear to be applied. Though they may not be what you hoped for, they seem to be a reasonably good buy for use as-is. I don't think I would put a lot of effort into restoration.

 

Thanks for the inputs! Fun to see that im not that far off in my assessment. Maybe six hours isn’t that far after all – they’re now offering the pair of chairs for $70.

 

Thouhgs on the updated analysis based on some more research? "These armchairs are crafted examples of late 19th to early 20th century historicist furniture, likely inspired by the Louis XIII revival style. The carved wooden details, deeply embossed leather backs, and turned front legs point to a high level of craftsmanship, predating industrial standardization."

 

I am not seeing anything Louis XIII related.

Embossed, but rather shallow.
This example is embossed more deeply, but I don't think anyone would call it deeply embossed:

 

Appreciate the input – and you're probably right to question the Louis XIII label. I mentioned it because of the turned legs and the leather backs, but I agree that the embossing is fairly shallow and the overall design doesn’t push that connection very far.

What I'm trying to figure out is where these actually belong stylistically. They feel earlier than post-war, but not as ornate as late 19th-century high revival pieces. The mix of modest carving, embossed leather, and lighter wood makes me wonder if we’re looking at something from a Northern or Central European tradition – perhaps more alpine or vernacular in nature?

 

I think they are. I have a feeling they could date from 1900-the 1910s.

The use of that warm, light wood looks Nordic to me.

The combination of that light wood with ebonization is very attractive. That combo looks almost Dutch Colonial, but the style as such as far from it, so please don't use it in a description.

 

Yes, that 1900–1910s range makes a lot of sense. The construction and detailing feel too considered to be post-war, but there’s also a kind of restraint that separates them from the heavier revival pieces of the late 19th century.

The Nordic angle is interesting – that warm, light wood combined with selective ebonization does have a very specific character. The chairs are located in Oslo, Norway so that makes sense i guess?

Definitely won’t touch the Dutch Colonial label – though I can see how the color contrast might loosely suggest it at a glance. Still very much in the Northern vernacular camp.

If any similar pieces come to mind, I’d be curious to see what they were labeled as. These seem to live in that middle ground between bourgeois formality and something more rustic.

 

Interesting bit of information. These are 1930s production from Møre Møbelfabrikk in Norway.

 

Though a different design, they have a similar 'feel'. And also that warm, light wood and turned detail.

 

6 hour drive..... u better be going on vacation !!!

 

Updated thesis: These chairs likely represent a transitional Nordic style from the late 19th to early 20th century – combining Arts and Crafts ideals with the historicist vocabulary common at the time. They appear to be workshop-made, possibly by a regional cabinetmaker, and can be seen as early precursors to the more standardized Norwegian lounge chairs produced in the 1930s and 40s by companies like Møre Lenestolfabrikk or LK Hjelle.