Sculptural Patinated Oak Spinning Chair, Europe Ca Early 20th Century

The ‘spinning chair’, this historic type of seating has had numerous modern interpretations across Europe, however, most preserved the main functional characteristics: solid wood, enduring, high quality craftsmanship, a tall, straight back for good posture and freedom of movement. The art of spinning yarn is thousands of years old, but the spinning wheel as we know it is estimated to have arrived in Europe around the middle of the 13th century and along with it came the three or four-legged spinning chair. The backs were often hand carved with various motifs or fantasy creatures making each one unique and individual. As these oak chairs show, the Modernist movement influenced the traditional design by removing most of the intricate decorative elements, and substituting them with a more streamlined structure. The carved high backs and octagonal seats...

The 1970s were, arguably, one of the most interesting eras in French design, with “a lot going on”. In part a reaction against the sleek modernism of mid-century design, 1970s design...

The ‘spinning chair’ is a historic type of seating with numerous modern interpretations across Europe - however, most preserved the main functional characteristics: solid wood, endur...

Working against the minimal shapes and ergonomic design of streamlined mid-century European furniture, the maker of this side chair moved away from highly polished factory uniformity...