Last week, I visited my daughter’s condo for tea, and I was just upset with the tight furniture! A reading chair here, a desk chair there! Phew! Thankfully, we millennials had a one-in-all Windsor chair back then, which, in fact, is a precious collectible today, costing up to $1000!
These solid-wood chairs had it all – spindles, balancing legs, and hooped backs. So, as kids, we literally slept, ate, and jumped on Windsors. Some of us had the hooped ones, while others used branded Wallace chairs.
So, let’s find out more about old Windsor chairs and some quick tools to identify and value those in this ULTIMATE guide!
Key Takeaways
- Antique Windsor chairs are lightweight, integrated chairs for Gardens, Patios, Interiors & Sunrooms. Here, the best ones have sack or comb backs!
- You can spot Old & Authentic Windsor chairs by their spindles, splayed legs, peg joints, and stretchers.
- Unlike other antiques, old Windsor chairs aren’t bare wood! In fact, the earliest ones have Brown or Green milk paint seats.
- Vintage Windsor chairs have wooden bodies, of which the Pine, Ash & Oak ones cost more.
Key Features of Old Windsor Chairs
Ever seen the small, solid-wood chairs from B&W movies? Well, Windsor chairs look the same, with thin spindles, jutted legs, and carved arm rails. But to make sure it’s a collectible one, look for these aged features:
- Turned Spindle backs with a Fan-like array and Horseshoe shape
- Sunken Shield or Oval-shaped Saddle seats
- Steamed or bentwood back bows, arm rails, and stretchers
- Solid Elm crests with flower or heart-shaped carvings
- Simple wooden peg joints with crude, bamboo-like scoring
History And Evolution of Old Windsor Chairs
We all know how tropical the west coasts are! So back in the 1700s, people just couldn’t use the normal, unseasoned chairs in their gardens. Besides, some chairs were so heavy you couldn’t carry them in and out!
That’s when old furniture makers like Francis Trumble & Joseph Henzey had an idea! First, they removed the solid backs and added some spindles to reduce weight. Also, they finished them in green milk paint to reduce the fungus.
By the 1800s, makers started branding Windsor chairs in America too! But these were slightly different – with bamboo turnings and Chippendale designs!
With time, Windsor Chairs reached Asia, Australia, and Africa! And each of them tweaked the design as per their local woods, height, and culture. But this stripped the Windsor of its typical, hand-carved colonial designs and reduced its value.
3 Important Windsor Chairs Types (With Values)
Now let’s check the three Windsor chair types as per the structure, back design, and other features:
1. Old Sack-back Windsor Chairs
Sack-back Windsors are small, hooped, and extended back chairs, costing $300 – 1200. Such models have thin and curved spindles with simple, hand-lacquered finishes. Also, you’ll see some crude features like rope seats, splayed legs, and peg joints.
2. Old Comb-back Windsor Chairs
As you might guess, old comb-back Windsor chairs have comb-like spindles. You might also spot splayed feet, tape seats, and steam-bent top rails. Plus, these have Ash, Maple, or Oak sections, each with a varnished or hand-painted finish. Usually, they cost $200 – 3000.
3. Vintage Continuous Arm Windsor Chair
Continuous arm Windsor chairs, costing $100 – 1000, have single, curved arms from the back. In fact, most of them also have one-piece, sculpted seats and legs, forming a smooth, continuous line. Also, these have hand-turned spindles and peg joints.
8 Factors to Identify & Value Antique Windsor Chairs
Do you know that an old Windsor chair’s final resale cost also changes with age, materials, and brand? Let’s see how!
1. Chair’s Age & Features
Now, Windsor chairs didn’t have any standard design until the 1900s. So, before that, it was a bit random! For example, the 1700s chairs were thick and solid for outdoor use. Then, in the 1800s, some makers used slender, refined sections to reduce their weight!
Here’s a table to understand such era-specific details and their costs:
| Antique Windsor Chair Years | Age | Top Collectible Features | Estimated Value |
| 1700s | 224 – 323 years | Simple, solid wood chairs with splayed, turned legs, stretchers, and a hoop design | $200 – 5000 |
| 1800s | 174 – 223 years | Slender, lightly carved chairs with comb-back bodies, Elm seats, and Yew spindles | $150 – 3500 |
| 1850s | 164 – 173 years | Continuous arm Windsor chairs with Birdcage or Bamboo turnings and Chinese designs | $120 – 2500 |
| 1900 | 74 – 123 years | Industrial, Chippendale-style Windsor chairs with painted, factory-made finishes and sleek spindles | $80 – 1800 |
| 1950s | 64 – 73 years | Composite wood chairs with multiple, thin spindles, straight legs, reclined backs, and metal accents | $60 – 1200 |
Try to get Windsor chairs with steam-bended bows and central-splat designs for an old make.
2. Wood Type
It’s not just the age; a Windsor chair’s value changes with the wood too! It’s so that the early 1700s chairs always used local Pine & Ashwood. But then, by the 1800s, makers worked with imported Maple & Birch!
So, let’s see how they cost more due to their import tags & trademarks:
| Old Windsor chair Wood | How to Identify Them? | Average Cost |
| Pine Wood | Light Cream, Yellow or White wood with linear knots and grains | $200 – 3800 |
| Ash Wood | Beige or Light brown wood with straight grain and uniform, regular texture | $300 – 3500 |
| Oak Wood | Water and shrink-resistant whitish wood with coarse and uneven grains | $200 – 2000 |
| Elm Wood | Medium-hued, reddish-brown hardwood with white sap and interlocking grain | $100 – 1800 |
| Hardwood – Hickory, Maple | Creamy, Yellow, or Orangish Windsor chairs with uneven grains, turnings, and inlays | $150 – 2500 |
| Yew Wood (only in England) | Orangish-Brown chairs with Dark Brown stripes, straight grain, and even texture | $250 – 1600 |
Rub your finger and check for a lacquered, waxy, or oil-rubbed finish for a handmade make.
3. Chair Colors
Not all Windsor chairs had bare wood or lacquered bodies. Some 1800s, outdoor chairs had natural green and brown seats, while the 1900s, indoor chairs might be white & black.
So let’s check the cost of such colored Windsor chairs:
| Vintage Windsor Chair Colors | Estimated Cost |
| Natural Green, Beige & Brown | $700 – 5000 |
| Black & White | $350 – 3000 |
| Red, Orange & Yellow | $200 – 2500 |
| Silver & Golden | $700 – 2000 |
| Blue & Purple | $200 – 1200 |
Pick antique Windsor chairs with Milk, Oil-based, Mineral, or Chalk-paint backs for a good value.
4. Brands & Manufacturers
Want a shortcut to check your old Windsor chair’s resale cost? Just turn it upside down, and check for any logo or brand mark on the base, seats, or legs. If yes, note the brand’s name and check its value from this price table!
| Old Windsor Chair Brands | Identifying Features | Average Value |
| John Bodger & Sons Ltd. | High-quality, English-style chairs with sleek spindles, splayed legs, and polished finishes | $500 – 3500 |
| Wallace Nutting | Traditional American chairs with historical designs, colonial motifs, and brushed finishes | $600 – 4000 |
| Frederick Duckloe & Bros. | Traditional-style chairs with thick spindles, splat-back seats, and lacquered bodies | $400 – 3000 |
| Nichols & Stone | Composite chairs with spindle arms, backs, and black seats | $500 – 2000 |
Avoid getting broken, faded, deformed, or heavily restored Windsor chairs, as those may lose their value by 5 – 10%.
5. Chair Styles
Love themed furniture? If yes, you’ll surely flip over these Art & Interior movement-themed Windsor chairs from the 1950s. Here, pick the Victorian one’s if you have a traditional taste while going with the Shaker ones for a luxurious aura.
Let’s explore some more Windsor chair styles and their costs below:
| Antique Windsor Chair Styles | Estimated Cost |
| Traditional, Colonial & Victorian | $400 – 3000 |
| Art Nouveau & Art Déco | $300 – 2000 |
| French Country & Mid-Century Modern | $200 – 3000 |
| Modern & Shaker | $100 -1900 |
6. American or European?
Most of the old & collectible Windsor chairs are from Europe or America. Of these, the European ones cost up to $6000 due to extra stretchers, hoop lines, and better balance. In contrast, American Windsors cost up to $5000 for their lightweight, ergonomic designs.
Here’s how to differentiate those:
| Factor | American Windsor Chairs | European Windsor Chairs |
| Era | Mid 1800s to 1900s | 1700s – 1800s |
| Design | Sleek and refined chairs with Continuous arm backs and Plain, turned legs | Solid, heavy designs with Hoop-backs, Splat backs, and Cabriole legs |
| Wood Types | Pine, Poplar, Hickory, Oak & Ash | Ash, Elm & Yew |
| Finish | Painted or Powdercoated | Bare wood, Paint, Varnished or Lacquered |
| Leg Connections | Curved & Chiseled finishes between the legs | Used simple, H-shaped stretchers |
7. Usage
It’s true that makers designed Windsor chairs for gardens and decks. But, by the 1850s, they tweaked them for indoor living and bedroom use too! So, let’s discuss how to appraise those:
| Antique Windsor Chair Use | Average Price |
| Private Spaces – Bedroom, Bathroom & Study (Large & Polished chairs) | $400 – 5000 |
| Semi-covered Lounge, Patio & Porch | $500 – 4000 |
| Sunrooms & Porch (UV-resistant) | $300 – 2500 |
| Living & Guest room (Dust-resistant) | $400 – 3500 |
| Outdoor Garages & Foyers | $300 – 1900 |
5 Most Valuable Old Windsor Chairs to Find!
Do you know that some rare / limited-edition Windsor chairs sell for up to $10,000 too? That’s because they have exotic Rosewood sections, upholsteries, or gold accents that stand out. Here’s a list of some of those:
| Rare Windsor Chairs | Last Resale Value |
| English Windsor Hoop-back Armchairs | $12,650 |
| Windsor Chippendale Chair | $9700 |
| Gothic Windsor Armchairs | $6800 |
| Elijah Tracy Windsor Side Chair | $5500 |
| Wind Back Windsor Armchair | $5000 |
How Do I Know If My Antique Windsor Chair Is Authentic?
You can verify your Antique Windsor chairs by checking for natural wood variations & knots, dual-colored streaks, a waxy patina, and faded colors. Other than that, the earliest chairs might have soft, worn-out edges and spindles.
How Old Are Antique Windsor Chairs?
Most of the Old & Collectible Windsor chairs are from the 1800s & 1900s, roughly 100 – 170 years ago now!
How Much Does an Old Windsor Chair Weigh?
Old Windsor chairs typically weigh about 26 lbs with the cushion and 13 lbs without the cushion. So, they are pretty lightweight and easy to carry!
Valuing vintage Windsor chairs is an easy-peasy job! All you need is some time and patience to spot all the features and compare their values from the tables above. And there! You can now resale it for the right value without any expert help!
Have more queries regarding identifying different antique furniture, check out these ‘Old Rocking Chair,’ ‘School desk,’ and ‘Bassett furniture’ articles now!
Hi, I have been given a couple of chairs that I have been stumped on when trying to figure out what kind they are. I have searched the internet and not found any similar chairs. There style kind of looks like a Windsor Taperback chair. How can I tell for sure?
Thanks