An upholstered chair with a high back that extends around towards the front or even right to the front of the arms, making it much more enclosed than a wing chair. It was a medieval European invention to keep porters or gatekeepers sheltered from bitter draughts during their night watch in the halls of isolated country castles or estates.
Porter chairs are typically upholstered in leather or velvet that might extend almost to the floor, certainly any loose covers would, emphasizing a very attractive and eminently practical shape. In our time working around Exmoor we’ve re-covered quite a few, a very attractive and eminently practical solution for not-so-warm houses!