Shaker Turning Chair – SOLD
Mount Lebanon, NY | c. 1870
Pine, maple, ash, and iron
Original stain and varnish surface with subsequent over-varnish
26 ¼ – 30 ¾” h. x 17” dia.; seat: 17 – 21 ½” h.
To create a more efficient chair for the workplace, the Shaker chair factory in Mount Lebanon, New York, experimented with the manufacture of a small number of revolving chairs that evolved in style. Called “Turning Chairs” by the Shakers, these unique pieces were never marketed for sale—most made their way to other Shaker communities where they were used in offices and at desks. Essentially, all revolving chairs were prototypes. The design of the chair—particularly the cast-iron spinning mechanism that allows the height to adjust—was never fully tested and approved for mass production.
Pine, maple, and ash in original stain and varnish surface with later over-varnish, this version of a Turning Chair features outward-bent spindles, a curved back, and a Champagne bottle-shaped post that echoes the aesthetic of Shaker light stands. The maple, cross-lapped, tapering arched legs were steam-bent and chamfered. In an excellent state of preservation.
To inquire about this piece,
contact us by phone.
914-763-8144
Or, you can reach us by email: jkr@jkrantiques.com