British Ladders
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Place of Origin: British
Ash Library Steps
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful ash library staircase, with many details. The steps are very stable in use due to the construction and the long handle. Perfectly suited for everyday use and multiple purpo...
Category
2010s British Ladders
Materials
Ash
Library Steps
Located in Greenwich, CT
A set of 19th century mahogany library steps having six levels with a top vertical holding pole, the set resting on two turned long front legs tied with a box stretcher and ending in...
Category
Mid-19th Century Neoclassical Antique British Ladders
Materials
Mahogany
Mahogany library steps
Located in Martlesham, GB
A set of mid 20th Century mahogany library steps, consisting of four steps with each step lined with a green leather decorated with blind and gilt tooling, supported on a tall turn c...
Category
1960s Regency Vintage British Ladders
Materials
Mahogany
VINTAGE ART NOUVEAU STYLE 166 CM TALL BRASS TOPPED HARDWOOD LIBRARY STEPs
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely Art Nouveau style vintage Mahogany with brass handle top library steps
Please note the deliver...
Category
20th Century Art Nouveau British Ladders
Materials
Hardwood
Fine Antique Mid Victorian circa 1850 Metamorphic Library Steps Original
Located in GB
We are is delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Mid Victorian metamorphic library steps chair in oak with period carvings to the back
A very charming and highly collectable piece, designed as an at home library steps and reading chair, these are used to add a sense of grand occasion to a standard bookcase...
Category
1850s High Victorian Antique British Ladders
Materials
Oak
A Rare Early 20th Century Pitch Pine Library Steps Labelled Slingsby England
By Slingsby of England
Located in Dublin, IE
A rare early 20th Century pitch pine library steps of fabulous quality, finely carved with rich patination and grain. The finely figured, moulded hand rail is raised over the top st...
Category
Early 20th Century British Ladders
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Oak Library Step Ladder with Brass Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English oak step library ladder from the 19th century. Step into the pages of history with this 19th-century English oak library ladder, a mix of utilitarian function and classic ...
Category
19th Century Antique British Ladders
Materials
Brass
Stunning Antique circa 1810 George III Elm & Leather Library Steps Georgian Home
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite circa 1810 George III elm & green leather library steps
What a thing of beauty, nothing screams Georgian decadence li...
Category
1810s George III Antique British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Elm
Wood Architectural English Ladder Circa 1970
Located in New York, NY
Wood architecturable foldable step ladder. Made in England. Circa 1970. Beautiful piece in great condition. Perfect addition to a home library.
Dimensions Closed: W 20.125" x D 5.5...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern British Ladders
Materials
Wood
Oak metamorphic chair
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th Century oak metamorphic chair, with spindle back above solid seat the chair opens into a sturdy set of Library steps.
Dimensions
Height 34.5 Inc...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique British Ladders
Materials
Oak
Spiral Library Steps
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
Two matching (one right hand, one left hand), fine Georgian design spiral design library steps with turned hand pole support, column decoration and inset leather treads.
We are curr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Regency British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Wood
Painted Library Ladder
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 20th C painted library ladders. 1920.
Dimensions when closed.
22 inches (56 cms) Wide
6 inches (15 cms) Deep
103 inches (262 cms) High.
Category
Early 20th Century British Ladders
Materials
Pine
English Leather Folding Stick Ladder
Located in Essex, MA
Typical form with red leather and brass tacks. Maple rungs.
Category
20th Century Regency British Ladders
Materials
Brass
Antique Arts & Crafts Metamorphic Library Steps Ladder Side Table Brass Tread
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Arts & Crafts Victorian metamorphic library steps side table in oak with period brass trea...
Category
19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique British Ladders
Materials
Brass
English Mahogany Bed Steps
Located in Wilson, NC
English mahogany bed steps, the three steps have tooled leather insets ( not original ) , the top step lifts up to reveal open storage, the middle step pulls out and originally had a...
Category
1820s Antique British Ladders
Materials
Brass
Antique 1880 Arts & Crafts Metamorphic Library Steps Original Carpet Upholstery
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Arts & Crafts Victorian metamorphic library steps chair in oak with period upho...
Category
1880s Arts and Crafts Antique British Ladders
Materials
Oak
Georgian Hardwood & Leather Library Steps, United Kingdom, Early 19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Fine Georgian (Regency Era) hardwood and leather library steps (doubles as an end table) - exceptional bench made quality with warm aged patina - featuring a solid wood frame with on...
Category
Early 19th Century Georgian Antique British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Regency Style Walnut Library Steps
Located in Clermont, FL
Regency style solid wood library steps. Beautifully carved, three steps are supported by tapered legs and a reeded column back. Finish is a medium brown walnut stain, with patina sho...
Category
19th Century Regency Antique British Ladders
Materials
Wood
Antique Original Patina Painted Finish Library Reading Bookcase Steps Ladder
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original pine library steps or ladder to sit next to a bookcase
...
Category
1880s Victorian Antique British Ladders
Materials
Pine
Regency Style Mahogany Library Steps
Located in Essex, MA
Typical form with green leather treads and turned tapered legs.
Category
1820s Regency Antique British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage English Mahogany and Leather Library Step Ladder on Casters
Located in Dallas, TX
This Regency step-ladder was created in England, circa 1950. Built of mahogany, the three stairs cabinet sits on small, fluted and tapered legs ending with brass wheels; both sides a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Regency British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
English Late 19th Century Oak Five Steps Ladder with Brown Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English oak step ladder from the late 19th century, with brown patina. Created in England during the last decade of the 19th century, this oak ladder features five steps connected...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique British Ladders
Materials
Oak
Walnut Metamorphic Chair
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th century walnut metamorphic chair, with pierced back above solid seat the chair opens into a sturdy set of library steps.
Dimensions:
Height ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique British Ladders
Materials
Walnut
Regency Style Leather and Brass Stick Ladder
Located in Essex, MA
Folds into a stick. Wood core covered in brown leather with brass tacks. Hook latch to keep it closed. When closed its 91 inches high. Rungs are 9.25 inches wide.
Category
Early 20th Century Regency British Ladders
Materials
Brass
Beckford Bed Steps
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A finely craved and decorated pair of bed steps in mahogany with leather inset treads and column supports.
We are currently working to a 30-36 week lead time.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Regency British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Wood
20th Century English Leather Library Step or Stairs / Stepladder, Victorian
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century English leather library step or stairs / stepladder, Victorian.
Solid wood mahogany stained. English library manager / stepladder 2...
Category
20th Century British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Oak Metamorphic Chair
Located in Cheshire, GB
Oak metamorphic chair, in Jacobean style the panelled back with pierced decoration with scrolling foliage. To the solid oak hinged seat folding to fo...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique British Ladders
Materials
Oak
Antique 1830 William IV Flamed Hardwood Metamorphic Library Armchair Steps
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this large and collectable lightly restored William IV circa 1830 Flamed Mahogany, metamorphic armchair which converts into Library steps attributed to Gillows of Lancaster and London.
This is a wonderful piece of English history, I have never seen another with such elegant turned front legs, usually they are plainer and straight timber. The seat pad has been upholstered with a grey linen, the steps and raw flamed mahogany and look amazing.
This chair is an important and extremely expensive looking thing that commands attention in any setting. You can see the same model made by Gillows currently viewed in the Victorian & Albert Museum, below is an extra from their listing.
The period 1800-1825 was a great one for ‘patent’ or ‘metamorphic’ furniture This chair, which transforms into a short set of steps for use with bookshelves, is close to a design for a ‘Library Chair’ published in Rudolph Ackermann’s Repository of the Arts in July 1811, which was made by the London firm of Morgan and Saunders, of Catherine Street, Strand.
They were well known for their ingenious furniture, including reading chairs with writing surfaces attached and a great variety of travelling beds...
Category
1830s William IV Antique British Ladders
Materials
Hardwood
Slingsby Medium Step Ladder
By Slingsby of England
Located in Alton, GB
An original wooden Slingsby step ladder in medium size, consists of three steps and the fourth tray top. The ladder closes by two metal hinges either side ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Ladders
Materials
Wood
Metamorphic Library Steps
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A George III design, mahogany four-step metamorphic library coffee table, with decorative gilt incised leather top and leathered steps opening to f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary George III British Ladders
Materials
Brass
19th Century Oak Metamorphic Chair
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th Century oak metamorphic chair, with spindle back above solid seat the chair opens into a sturdy set of Library steps.
Dimensions
Height 35 Inches height to seat 17.5 Inches
W...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique British Ladders
Materials
Oak
Antique Original Patina Painted Finish Red Tall Library Bookcase Steps Ladder
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original pine library steps or ladder
A good looking and decorative piece, I have seen these with glass shelves fitted and upcycled ...
Category
1910s Edwardian Vintage British Ladders
Materials
Pine
Antique Pine Steps
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique decorative pine ladder that can also be used daily if necessary. Entirely in good condition and with a beautiful aged patina.
Origin: England
Period: Approx. 1920...
Category
1910s Vintage British Ladders
Materials
Pine
English Antique Wooden Folding Ladder with Tray Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
This well-worn and tall late 19th century English seven step folding ladder features a tray shelf at the top and has the original brackets, hardware, and dowels. The weathered patina...
Category
19th Century Late Victorian Antique British Ladders
Materials
Metal
Large Library Step Ladder Attributed to London Film School by Stephens & Carter
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
An imposing 1970 film prop ladder by maker Stephens & Carter, stamped L.F.S (London Film School). In good solid condition with nice wear and paint.
Original...
Category
Mid-19th Century Mid-Century Modern Antique British Ladders
Materials
Wood
20th Century English Library Step or Stairs/Stepladder, Victorian with Casters
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century English leather library step or stairs / stepladder, Victorian with casters
Solid wood mahogany stained. English library manager / stepladder 20th century, Victorian....
Category
20th Century British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Wood
Antique Original Painted "the Patient Safety Ladder Company" Decorators Ladder
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this lovely original antique "The Patient Safety Ladder Company" decorators ladder
A good looking and decorative piece, I have seen these with glass shel...
Category
1910s Edwardian Vintage British Ladders
Materials
Pine
Burr Walnut Brown Leather Regency Metamorphic Reading Armchair to Library Steps
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this pair of large and collectable Regency style metamorphic armchair which converts into Library steps after the original 18th century design by Gillows of Lancaster with Burr Walnut panels
A very good looking and well made pair, I have never seen a Regency style piece with Burr Walnut panels before, the leather seat pads have been restored by my leather polishers, they have been hand dyed six times, antiqued and sealed
The period 1800-1825 was a great one for ‘patent’ or ‘metamorphic’ furniture This chair, which transforms into a short set of steps for use with bookshelves, is close to a design for a ‘Library Chair’ published in Rudolph Ackermann’s Repository of the Arts in July 1811, which was made by the London firm of Morgan and Saunders, of Catherine Street, Strand.
They were well known for their ingenious furniture, including reading chairs with writing surfaces attached and a great variety of travelling beds...
Category
18th Century Regency Antique British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Ltd Edition Stewart Linford William Shakespeare Metamorphic Library Steps Chair
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, highly collectable, Limited Edition 52/150 Steward Linford William Shakespeare Metamorphic library steps armchair made from Historic Oak and Pewter from Shakespeare Warwickshire, exhibited in The Living Chair Museum
This is pretty much the best-looking chair I have ever seen and certainly the most decorative library steps. The design is based on a Regency Gillow’s of Lancaster model of a metamorphic library steps, the idea being with tall Georgian bookcases you have a reading chair next to the bookcase and when you need to get a book down from on high, you simply flip the chair top over and you have steps
This one has been specially made as a homage to William Shakespeare, the top of the back rest has been hand carved with a city scene depicting Shakespeare theatre, under we find a painted scene of Romeo courting Juliette, on the back you have William Shakespeare’s name hand carved in with the edition number 52/150, converting it to steps we find a pewter plaque...
Category
20th Century Victorian British Ladders
Materials
Oak
Grdc Stamped Pitch Pine circa 1920's Original Aqua Green Paint Decorators Ladder
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this lovely original circa 1910-1920 pine painted library steps or ladder which is stamped G.R.D.C
A good looking and decorative piece, originally made f...
Category
1920s Edwardian Vintage British Ladders
Materials
Pine
Vintage Pitch Pine circa 1920's Original Aqua Blue Paint Decorators Ladder
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original circa 1910-1920 pine painted library steps or ladder which is stamped G.R.D.C
A good looking and decorative piece, original...
Category
1920s Edwardian Vintage British Ladders
Materials
Pine
George III Mahogany Bedside Step Commode, England circa 1815
Located in San Francisco, CA
Geo. III mahogany bed step commode with leather inset top.
Purchased in England in the 1960's, and used as a sofa side table in an anglophile's home in ...
Category
Early 19th Century George III Antique British Ladders
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Mahogany Bedsteps with Chamber Drawer
Located in Charleston, SC
Great set of 19th century English mahogany and leather bedsteps with sliding chamber drawer.
Category
19th Century Antique British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Arts & Crafts Mahogany Metamorphic Library Chair, English, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The side chair with turned back rails and legs converting to library steps.
Category
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique British Ladders
Materials
Mahogany
Peat Bucket
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very large English George III or Regency brass bound mahogany peat bucket. The bucket is in overall very good condition. The bucket features side...
Category
18th Century Georgian Antique British Ladders
Materials
Brass, Tin
Metamorphic Chairs
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A pair of George II design metamorphic library steps armchairs with shaped solid backs centered with painted scallop shell crests above hinged seats r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary George I British Ladders
Materials
Wood, Leather
English Mahogany Three-Tiered Fitted Interior Leather Bed Steps, Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
English mahogany three-tiered bed steps with tooled green leather, hinged fitted interior compartments, and terminating on turned bulbous ringed legs, Early 19th century.
Category
1820s George III Antique British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Pine
Brown Standing English Bamboo Magazine Rack Sheet Music Stand or Canterbury
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful chinoiserie standing magazine rack or sheet music stand. Lacquered pieces of bamboo are affixed together in an angled geometric desi...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie British Ladders
Materials
Bamboo
English Regency Metamorphic Library Ladder
Located in New York, NY
English Regency mahogany metamorphic library table/steps with hinged top & lion finial on a scrolled base. (with registry tag for J. Brodey, Bristo...
Category
19th Century Regency Antique British Ladders
Materials
Bronze
Bamboo vintage British Colonial Artisan decorative display stand or ladder.
Located in Bellport, NY
British Colonial artisan made free standing display stand or ladder, great bathroom piece or plant stand, not to be used as a climbing ladder.
Wonderful condition.
Natural organic bamboo furniture...
Category
20th Century Anglo-Indian British Ladders
Materials
Bamboo
Regency Mahogany Metamorphic Armchair
Located in Essex, MA
With horizontal tablet crestrail with scrolled ends over down scrolled arms raised on saber legs, chair folds forward to form a ladder.
Category
1810s Regency Antique British Ladders
Materials
Other
Regency Brass Inlaid Rosewood Metamorphic Bench
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular padded seat covered in brown leather, opening to reveal a set of library steps, over a solid inlaid seat-rail and ring-turned tapering legs ending in castors.
18in. high, 34 1/2in. wide and 16 1/2in. deep. Opened, 36in. high and 49in. wide.
Rooms organized during the Regency period as libraries often had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The upper shelves were difficult to reach, so movable library stairs were invaluable. Further, libraries were one of the most important rooms in a stately house, symbol of its owner's wealth, culture and status. As a consequence, designers, architects and cabinet or chair makers devoted much attention to its architecture and decoration. Hence, the emrgence of innovative ideas such as our bench.
Enter the Regency era metamorphic library chair/bench (chairs are more common than benches)!
The tables, chairs and stools containing library steps were patented in Great Britain by Robert Campbell in 1774 but this innovative chair-based design did not become immediately popular. Once the Regency was established, a neo-classical interpretation of Campbell’s Metamorphic Library Chair concept started to become popular in London. Any early attributions rely heavily on two contemporary sketches...
Category
Early 19th Century Regency Antique British Ladders
Materials
Brass
Antique Library Steps with four spiral gilt leather trimmed steps and pole.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Antique Library Steps with four spiral gilt leather trimmed steps and pole. Mahogany and yew wood, Olive Green Leather inserts. H: 118cm
D: 62cm
Step Height: 53cm
Width: 42 cm
Category
Early 20th Century Victorian British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Decorative Folding Library Ladder
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive decorative English library ladder crafted in hardwoods with an ingenious folding mechanism and featuring leather covering with brass tacks, caps and feet.
Folded dimensi...
Category
Early 20th Century Victorian British Ladders
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Antique Georgian Style Leather Library Steps
Located in London, GB
A superb set of antique leather library steps in the Georgian style. They were made in England, and date from around the 1950’s.
The quality is fantastic, they are very useful for r...
Category
1950s Georgian Vintage British Ladders
Materials
Brass
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