I wonder if this chair is too valuable to modify the cushions?
I inherited from my mother this “Morris chair,” which she inherited from her father. My grandfather either purchased the chair around 1910-1930, or perhaps he got it from his parents. I love the chair, but the cushions are quite firmly stuffed, and I would enjoy sitting in the chair if the cushions were softer and more comfortable. My mother always told me never to alter the chair, identifying it as a very valuable antique. Looking at it, I don’t think the material on the seats is actually leather, so it may not even be original upholstery (if it has been reupholstered, it would have been before 1950). I don’t want to ruin a valuable antique, but I would like to make it a chair that I would enjoy using. Would reupholstering the cushions ruin the value of the chair? My grandfather lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but his family was from Chicago. Any information on the probable value of the chair would be appreciated.
You didn`t post a pic so have no idea what your chair looks like or how the reclining mechanism on the back is made !
However the Morris chair is one of the most copied chairs ever made ! Most mfrs made a version of the Morris chair ! The only one worth any significant amount are those made by the Stickley family ! Have you looked for a name on your chair ?
Thanks, Marthahill. I thought I posted a picture, but I guess I didn’t figure out how to do that properly. Still can’t figure out how to post a picture. The chair does have a number on it, but I’m not sure what a Stickley mark would look like.