Business Details
38 Years
experience
Antique Chairs & Museum - Timeless Elegance in Cornwall
Established in 1988 by Alice and Tom Brown, Antique Chairs & Museum has grown into a renowned destination for antique furniture enthusiasts. Our collection spans over 350 chairs from the 17th to early 20th century, displayed in traditional farm buildings that reflect our commitment to preserving historical craftsmanship. We specialise in offering dining, individual, and upholstered chairs for sale, alongside occasional quality tables, all at competitive prices. Our expertise extends to restoration and upholstery services, ensuring each piece maintains its authenticity and value. With a focus on customer satisfaction, we handle international enquiries and arrange shipping worldwide.The museum, located near the A30 in Cornwall, serves as a living archive, illustrating 400 years of design evolution from Elizabethan carpentry to Georgian artistry. Our team combines decades of experience with a passion for antique furniture, making us a trusted authority in the field. We prioritise transparency, offering clear pricing and detailed provenance for every item. Visitors can explore six showrooms, each showcasing distinct periods and styles, while benefiting from our deep industry knowledge. Our dedication to quality and service has cemented our reputation as leaders in antique furniture sales and preservation.
Services
Antique chair sales
Furniture restoration
Upholstery services
Museum exhibits
International shipping
Historical research
Furniture appraisal
Period style guides
Custom packaging
Design consultations
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- We have over 35 years of experience in antique furniture sales and preservation
- Our museum showcases 400 years of furniture design evolution in six dedicated showrooms
- We offer professional restoration and upholstery services for antique pieces
- International shipping arranged with specialist handling for fragile items
- Our collection includes rare regional English chairs not found elsewhere
Services
Antique chair sales
We offer an extensive collection of antique chairs spanning 400 years of design history. From 17th-century Carolean pieces to Edwardian styles, our inventory includes dining chairs, upholstered seats, and rare regional examples. Each item undergoes careful authentication and preservation to maintain historical integrity while remaining available for practical use.
Furniture restoration
Our expert restoration service specialises in preserving the authenticity of antique chairs while addressing structural or cosmetic issues. Using traditional techniques and materials, we repair joinery, reupholster seats, and restore finishes without compromising historical value. This service caters to both private collectors and institutional clients.
Museum exhibits
The museum showcases over 350 antique chairs across six showrooms, illustrating furniture evolution from Elizabethan carpentry to Georgian design. Most exhibits remain available for purchase, with interpretive materials explaining construction techniques, regional variations, and stylistic developments. Group visits and educational tours can be arranged by appointment.
International shipping
We facilitate worldwide shipping of antique furniture through specialist handlers. Our packaging and logistics team ensures safe transport of fragile items, with customs documentation and insurance options available. This service supports both private buyers and commercial clients seeking period-accurate pieces for collections or projects.
Upholstery services
Our upholstery service combines traditional craftsmanship with modern materials to restore comfort and functionality to antique chairs. We offer period-appropriate fabric selection, webbing replacement, and cushion reconstruction while maintaining original structural elements. This service preserves both aesthetic value and practical usability.
People
Alice Brown
Co-founder
Alice Brown co-founded Antique Chairs & Museum in 1988, bringing decades of expertise in antique furniture identification and preservation. Her passion for historical design drives the museum's educational mission while maintaining commercial excellence.
Tom Brown
Co-founder
Tom Brown established Antique Chairs & Museum with his wife Alice in 1988. His technical knowledge of furniture construction and regional styles informs the business's authentication processes and restoration standards.
Questions
What periods do your antique chairs cover?
Our collection spans from the 17th century to early 20th century, including Carolean, Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian styles.
Do you offer restoration services for purchased chairs?
Yes, we provide professional restoration and upholstery services to maintain authenticity while addressing wear and damage.
Can international customers purchase items?
We handle international orders with specialist shipping arrangements for safe delivery of fragile antique furniture worldwide.
Are all museum items available for sale?
Most chairs in our museum are for sale, though we retain a small number of rare pieces that are not readily replaceable.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept bank transfers and major credit cards for purchases, with payment plans available for high-value items.
How can I visit the museum?
We're open Monday-Saturday 9am-5:30pm near the A30 in Cornwall. Follow brown signs from the main road to our location.
Reviews (2)
Robert Spicer
Jul 14, 2018
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Went there after festival for a stop off, had a very warm welcome and great insight into the history of chairs, would visit again.
Luke Carolan
Jul 19, 2017
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A whirl wind ride thought the history of chairs fun for all the family my kids just thought it was terrif. Edge of your seat stuff
