Description
My wife bought this chair at an estate sale in Yreka, CA. It appears to be made out of oak using no joinery. Everything is connected with slotted screws. There is a number on the back of the chair, which seems to have been done by inlay.
I'm sure that the brass-colored casters on the legs are not period, as they have Phillip head screws and do not seem to belong based on attachment.
I'm curious what type of chair it is. What purpose it was designed for. And of course, approximate value.
Antique Oak Swivel Desk Chair
Item Description:
This is an early 20th-century American swivel office or banker’s chair, most likely manufactured between 1900 and 1930. It is made of solid oak, with a curved seat, slatted back, and four splayed legs ending in brass-colored casters (replacements). The chair uses a steel or cast iron swivel mechanism beneath the seat and is assembled with slotted screws, indicative of early machine-made furniture prior to the widespread use of Phillips screws (which became common post-1935).
Historical Context:
This type of chair was commonly used in banks, libraries, post offices, and commercial offices during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods into the early 20th century. Often referred to as a "banker’s chair" or typist’s chair, it was designed to swivel and provide ergonomic support for clerical or writing tasks. The numbered metal inlay on the backrest (label “78”) suggests it may have been part of an institutional or municipal inventory (e.g., courtroom, school, or government office).
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Collector Appeal:
This chair has appeal to: