Chester armchair by Poltrona Frau, with capitonné upholstery in Pelle Frau®, an icon of Italian design since 1912.

Chester | Armchair

Renzo Frau

Starting from
€ 7.547
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01 chester armchair
02 chester armchair
03 chester armchair
0002A-0501203
0001A_0501203
0063A _0501203
Immagini 360
Immagini 370
Immagini 355
Immagini 368
01 chester armchair
02 chester armchair
03 chester armchair
0002A-0501203
0001A_0501203
0063A _0501203
Immagini 360
Immagini 370
Immagini 355
Immagini 368

The Chester armchair features a suspension system made of hand-placed, double-cone steel springs, fixed to jute belts on a seasoned beechwood supporting frame. The seat padding is in rubberized horsehair, while the backrest and armrests are in hand-shaped vegetable horsehair. The seat cushions are filled with goose down. The legs may be spherical or tall, in dark walnut-stained beech or black lacquered beech. They are also available in wood covered with leather. The upholstery of the Chester armchair is available in Pelle Frau®.

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Chester | Armchair

Renzo Frau
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Concept and Design

The Chester sofa celebrates the classic model of Edwardian England, revisited by Renzo Frau in the first catalogue in 1912 and inspired by the sofas and armchairs that populated English clubs and country houses at that time. One of the icons of the Poltrona Frau brand ever since, Chester stands out for its pleated armrests, an appropriate finishing touch for the rich capitonné processing of the leather, carried out entirely by hand.   

renzo frau
Designed by
Renzo Frau

Lorenzo Frau, known as ‘Renzo’, was born in Cagliari in 1881. He left Sardinia for military service in Milan, which he completed successfully earning the title of lieutenant. He married Savina Pisati and moved to Turin, at the time a real hub of Italian culture. He initially worked as a sales representative for Gribaudi and then for Dermoide Patent, manufacturer of faux leather. Having moved to Great Britain for work, he was able to discover the Chesterfield model armchairs and immediately imagined its potential, successfully starting to import it into Italy. At the same time, however, he was also attracted by the models of French and Central European style. He therefore decided to create his own artisan production laboratory. It was 1912: Poltrona Frau was created. From the initial work ‘in style’, Frau quickly moved onto direct design. Poltrona Frau became not only a production pole, but also a meeting point for artists and intellectuals. Renzo Frau used these relations to consolidate the brand image: successful models ensued quickly, one after the other. As the First World War broke out, Frau was called to fight for his country and his wife Savina bravely took up the reins of the company. Frau’s armchairs thus began entering the most important buildings, also used by the royal family. Renzo Frau met an early death in 1926. He left an extensive archive of projects that would allow his wife to coherently pursue Poltrona Frau production in the years to come.

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Dimensions
01 chester armchair 5107111
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01 chester armchair 5107111
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The Chester armchair by Poltrona Frau represents one of the absolute icons of Italian design and luxury craftsmanship. Its unmistakable style, characterized by hand-executed capitonné stitching, rounded armrests, and covered buttons, makes it a timeless piece, capable of furnishing spaces with personality, elegance, and a strong evocative presence. Every detail, from the selected Pelle Frau® leather to the solid wood frame, tells a story of tradition, quality, and artisanal care.

 

The Chester armchair finds its ideal place in elegant living rooms, period homes, historic villas, and rooms with wood paneling, where the desire to create refined atmospheres meets the pursuit of maximum comfort. The armchair is perfect for those who want a centerpiece piece of furniture, capable of harmonizing with antique furnishings, fine rugs, and prestigious architectural details, but also for those who wish to introduce a historic piece into a more contemporary context, creating an intriguing contrast.

 

In professional environments such as law firms, notary offices, executive offices, or waiting rooms of prestigious companies, the Chester conveys authority, hospitality, and a sense of exclusivity. It is the ideal choice for those who want to welcome clients and guests in a prestigious atmosphere, enhancing their image through an iconic piece of furniture. The armchair is also well-suited for use in boutique hotel receptions, exclusive lounge bars, private clubs, and luxury hotel suites, where comfort and representational value are essential.

 

The Chester armchair is highly appreciated in showrooms, art galleries, and luxury retail spaces, where its stage presence contributes to creating sophisticated and memorable environments. In photo shoots, film productions, and advertising campaigns, this armchair is often chosen to evoke atmospheres of class, history, and refinement, becoming a powerful and recognizable visual symbol.

 

In reading corners, relaxation rooms, private or public libraries, it offers an enveloping and comfortable seat, ideal for moments of contemplation, study, or the simple pleasure of reading. Its design also makes it perfect for public spaces such as museums, foundations, and cultural institutions that wish to offer guests a unique and high-level hospitality experience.

 

Thanks to the possibility of customization in finishes, colors, and materials, the Chester armchair also adapts to hotel, yacht, luxury residence, and public space contract projects, becoming a distinctive element for interior designers and architects who want to offer their clients furniture that is both a status symbol and a functional daily object.

 

Finally, it is perfect for those who wish to bring a piece of Italian history and culture into their home, choosing an armchair that not only furnishes but tells a story and enhances the space, becoming the heart of every environment in which it is placed.

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Discover the collections

Each collection of leathers or fabrics represents a different world: the color offering, the hand, the stroke, the tanning process, and the aesthetic value, make each upholstery valuable and unique