Share your favorites on Show & Tell

What strange type of chair is this?

In Furniture > Chairs > Show & Tell.
Chairs2595 of 2951One for the Furniture AficionadosChildren's Bentwood Chairs
2
Love it
1
Like it

officialfuelofficialfuel loves this.
rocker-sdrocker-sd loves this.
hotkittieshotkitties likes this.
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 13 years ago

    Bronco
    (7 items)

    I found this old chair at a thrift store recently and have been unable to figure out what it was designed for, other than sitting on. As you can see in the picture, the back of the chair is hinged, rotates forward from the bottom and locks in a very awkward position. You can't really sit on it comfortably in that position. On the backside top of the chair back there are some brass brads holding down the remnants of some red velvet looking material. Just over the top of the back from there, there are some holes where it appears brads used to be. I am hopeful that someone can help me identify this chair and tell me how old it is.

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

    logo
    Chairs
    See all
    RARE 17TH C CT PILGRIM LADDERBACK ARMCHAIR TURNED ARMS IN OLD RED PAINT
    RARE 17TH C CT PILGRIM LADDERBACK A...
    $142
    Authentic SIGNED VTG Thonet Model 10 Bentwood Rocking Chair Rocker Cane Rattan
    Authentic SIGNED VTG Thonet Model 1...
    $300
    A RARE WILLIAM & MARY 18TH C CHELMSFORD MA BANNISTER BACK CHAIR IN OLD RED PAINT
    A RARE WILLIAM & MARY 18TH C CHELMS...
    $26
    A CLASSIC 18TH C CT TRACY SCHOOL WINDSOR FAN BACK CHAIR IN ORIGINAL RED PAINT
    A CLASSIC 18TH C CT TRACY SCHOOL WI...
    $112
    logo
    RARE 17TH C CT PILGRIM LADDERBACK ARMCHAIR TURNED ARMS IN OLD RED PAINT
    RARE 17TH C CT PILGRIM LADDERBACK A...
    $142
    See all

    Comments

    1. hotkitties, 13 years ago
      Beautiful chair, although I can't imagine why it would work that way, it really doesn't make any sense. Hopefully someone will let us know?
    2. Teri Nash, 13 years ago
      I can't tell from the angle of the photo but there are invalid chairs that the moving piece comes down and makes a tray. Are you sure you have it in the correct position ?
    3. Bronco Bronco, 13 years ago
      The metal piece that you can see under the arm of the chair on both sides locks the back in that position. It's hard to tell in the picture, but there is approximately 8 inches of seating space when the back is in this position. Note that the arms of the chair are short compared to some chairs. This may be a clue as to the use of the chair. Also, the chair is held together with screws, the hinges are metal, and the mechanism that locks the back into its normal position is metal. Maybe the chair is only as old as the 50's which isn't that old because so am I.

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.