Not currently on display at the V&A

High Chair

1880-1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The back frame and legs of this high chair are made from one continuous length of wood bent into a U-shaped loop and set with an oval ring of wood in the chair back. The arm and front leg on each side are also made from one piece of curved wood, joined to the back. In this, the chair is similar to the bentwood chairs manufactured by Michael Thonet in Vienna in the 1850s and 1860s.

The extra strong restraining bar and the wide legs indicate that the designer has considered safety factors. Many earlier designs for high chairs had not been safe to use when standing alone. The splayed legs of this chair not only accord well with the lines of the design but also make the chair less likely to overbalance.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Bentwood
Brief description
Child's bentwood high chair made in Austria by J & J Kohn between 1880 and 1900
Physical description
High chair of varnished bentwood. The chair is very similar to Thonet's side chair no.10, with the back frame and legs made from one continuous length of wood bent into a U-shaped loop and set with an oval ring of wood in the chair back. The arm and front leg on each side is made from one piece of curved wood joined to the back, and the arms are linked across the front by a restraining bar with a sliding metal catch. The chair has a circular canework seat with a circular stretcher beneath it, and the legs are widely splayed at floor level.
Dimensions
  • Height: 94cm
  • Seat diameter: 37.2cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • J & J Kohn Austria (Maker's identification; underside of seat; stamping)
  • SCHUTZMARKE (remains of label) (German; underside of seat; printing)
    Translation
    Trademark
Credit line
Given by Mrs E. Smith
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Summary
The back frame and legs of this high chair are made from one continuous length of wood bent into a U-shaped loop and set with an oval ring of wood in the chair back. The arm and front leg on each side are also made from one piece of curved wood, joined to the back. In this, the chair is similar to the bentwood chairs manufactured by Michael Thonet in Vienna in the 1850s and 1860s.

The extra strong restraining bar and the wide legs indicate that the designer has considered safety factors. Many earlier designs for high chairs had not been safe to use when standing alone. The splayed legs of this chair not only accord well with the lines of the design but also make the chair less likely to overbalance.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.299-1982

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Record createdFebruary 20, 2004
Record URL
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