Queen Victoria Library Armchair

19th Century mahogany library armchair, stamped with the Buckingham Palace inventory number. 

The rail to the underside of this chair is stamped 'VR BPN 251 1866.' This stamp refers to Victoria Regina - Queen Victoria. The Royal Collection have confirmed that 251 refers to the room the chair was located in. That room no longer exists today, but it was where the Master of the Household's offices were located. 

Close relations of this chair still exist in the Royal Collection today. Furniture dispersals from royal residences in the early 20th Century may explain how this chair came to be publically available. 

The chair itself is incredibly handsome. It features high armrests and a partially upholstered back and seat in red leather. It rests on lappet-carved legs with brass castors. The seat is very deep and the upholstery features attractive brass studding. 

This is a very important piece to treasure. It will make for a marvellous desk or library chair in today's interior. 

The manuscript of the 1866 Buckingham Palace inventory is no longer known, so the Royal Collection cannot confirm any more about the chair's history. 

Provenance: purchased from Butchoff Antiques in 2002.