Lot 258
VICTORIAN MAHOGANY AND UPHOLSTERED 'GOUTY' CHAIR
MID 19TH CENTURY
Auction: Five Centuries Day One | Wed 11th November | Lots 1 to 322
Description
the foliate and flower carved chair frame above a stuff-over seat, the enclosed arms with acanthus carved terminals and fitted with brass winding knobs for propulsion and turning, above an extending adjustable footrest and wheels, covered in red floral fabric
Dimensions
60cm wide, 98cm high, 53cm deep
Footnote
Historically referred to as ‘invalid chairs’, chairs of this type had been in use since the 17th century, but were popularised by the inventor John Joseph Merlin (1735–1803), who developed a more refined version. Similar examples were produced by the cabinet-making firm Gillow & Co. in around 1800 and described as ‘gouty chairs’, designed to accommodate sufferers of gout, a condition that can cause severe pain in the feet.