Despite travelling all over the world, Freud always had a sofa on-hand to help him practice and the leather Chesterfield soon became synonymous with the practice of psychoanalysis. The fact that he chose a Chesterfield for this task speaks volumes about the comfort and luxurious feel of these beautiful pieces of furniture. This allowed them to lie back and talk openly about what was troubling them, which was a crucial element of his treatment process. Perhaps one of Freud’s lesser-known theories was that people talk more openly and freely when they’re comfortable, which is why he opted for an iconic Chesterfield sofa when treating his patients. In fact, you can still visit some of the clubs today and experience an original Chesterfield sofa, which is testimony to their incredible durability.Ĭhesterfield chairs populate the bar area of the Savile Club, London. Their popularity soon grew and became a fixture in many exclusive gentlemen’s clubs in London, providing a comfortable setting for London’s wealthiest men to sit, relax, drink and dine. ![]() Chesterfield Sofas as a Status SymbolĬhesterfield sofas became somewhat of a status symbol, appearing only in the homes of the wealthy, surrounded by truly grand décor. However, the deep buttoning – which has become an iconic feature of a Chesterfield – was introduced during the Victorian era to improve comfort. This, along with the absence of a suspension system, will have made them awfully rigid and unforgiving to sit on for long.Īdditionally, the buttoning wasn’t previously deep-set, meaning they would have dug into the legs of those who sat on a Chesterfield. The original Chesterfield sofas were filled with horsehair and tufting to help them to keep their shape. Previously, furniture had been designed to be practical, rather than comfortable, however, this soon changed during the new century. The Chesterfield in the Victorian eraĭuring the Victorian era in the mid-19 th Century, Chesterfield sofas became hugely popular. This makes it the potential birthplace of the first Chesterfield. He resided there until his death in 1773. It wasn’t long before other wealthy members of the upper-class society had their own Chesterfield sofas and chairs commissioned for their homes, cementing the style as a sign of wealth and class.Ĭhesterfield House in 1760 - this illustration shows the home that Philip Stanhope built in 1752. However, his butler interpreted this to mean that the Chesterfield chair should be passed onto him and arranged for it to be transported to his home. Dayrolles a chair’, intending his butler to pull up a seat for his godson, Mr. But how exactly did these first few Chesterfield sofas become world-renowned? It’s thought that on his deathbed, Lord Stanhope told his butler to ‘give Mr. As an admired politician, he was somewhat of a trendsetter. ![]() ![]() Lord Philip Stanhope was the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, which explains where the name ‘Chesterfield sofa’ comes from. ![]() He wanted a striking leather sofa with a low seat and high back to allow his gentlemen to sit comfortably without creasing their suits, thus, the iconic Chesterfield design was created. It may surprise you to know that Chesterfield sofas are thought to date as far back as the mid-1700s, when Lord Philip Stanhope commissioned a piece of furniture which evolved to be the much-admired Chesterfield sofa we know today. What are the Origins of a Chesterfield Sofa? Traditionally upholstered in dark leather and featuring deep button tufting, these beautiful sofas are truly distinctive. What is a Chesterfield Sofa?īefore we discuss the origins of Chesterfield sofas, we want to explain what a Chesterfield sofa is.Īs one of the most world-renowned sofa designs, Chesterfield sofas are defined by their large, rolled arms that are the same height as the back. Whether you’re considering purchasing a Chesterfield sofa, or simply want to find out more about these beautiful pieces, you might be wondering about the history of Chesterfield sofas and how they came to be so desired by people all across the globe.
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