Upholstery is the craft of padding, springing and covering seat furniture such as chairs, sofas, stools and ottomans. Traditional upholstery uses natural materials, including jute webbing, coil springs, horsehair, coir, wadding and calico, built up in layers and shaped by hand with stitched edges before the top fabric is applied.
Upholstery techniques changed considerably over time. Seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century seats were relatively flat and stuffed, while the introduction of coil springs in the early nineteenth century allowed the deep, comfortable seating and buttoned backs typical of Victorian furniture. Decorative finishes include brass nails, braid, gimp, fringing and piping. Original upholstery rarely survives in good condition, so most antique seating has been re-covered at some point. Sympathetic re-upholstery using traditional methods and suitable period-appropriate fabrics preserves both comfort and character, while poorly executed modern foam work can detract from the appearance and value of a fine antique frame.
