An occasional chair is a single chair intended for use as needed around a house rather than as part of a set, such as a dining suite. The term covers a wide variety of forms, including small upholstered armchairs, salon and bedroom chairs, hall chairs, side chairs and decorative chairs placed in corners, landings or beside a writing table.
The idea of lightweight, movable seating developed in the eighteenth century, when fashionable rooms were arranged informally and chairs drawn up for conversation or cards. The Victorians and Edwardians produced occasional chairs in great numbers, from balloon backs and spoon backs to inlaid Sheraton revival designs and French-style bergères and fauteuils. Because they were not tied to a set, many show individual designs, fine carving or unusual upholstery. Buyers should check that joints are firm, legs are original and not spliced, and that the frame has not been weakened by repeated re-upholstery. In today's interiors, an occasional chair is one of the most versatile pieces of antique furniture, adding a period accent to a bedroom, dressing room or hallway without taking up much space.
