It's on both sides of the recliner.
Thanks all!
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Just a guess: To attach some kind of cover to prevent "greasy hair" spots on the backrest?
Does not look original to the design of the chair ... I suspect that it is an invention of the previous tenant.
The chair was re-upolstered by the the previous owner. The strips look older than the chair to me and if they are, I am thinking they were put back on after the chair was done.
Quick on/ff dog protector?
If you don't have seat belts you stick your arms to it.
But you have to have really hairy arms ;D