Posture chair
style of Sir Astley Paston Cooper, 1st Baronet Cooper (1768 - 1841)
Category
Furniture
Date
1800 - 1849
Materials
beechwood, cane
Measurements
99.5 x 30.5 x 24.5 cm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Fenton House, London
NT 1448757
Summary
A beech 'Astley Cooper' child's posture correction/deportment chair, English, first half 19th century, two turned uprights forming the back legs and sides of the backrest, the rectangular top rail above two cross rails united by two roundels, another cross rail below, a small caned circular seat, with two turned tapering front legs, the front and back legs splayed, the legs joined by eight plain stretchers, the legs of long length typical of this type of chair. The deportment chair was invented by Sir Astley Paston Cooper (1768-1841), a surgeon and anatomist. The chair was developed to correct children's posture as the design of the chair forced them to keep a straight back and upright head. As well as correcting faulty posture in children they were also viewed as a good form of punishment for naughty children, by having them sit on the chair for extended periods of time.
Provenance
Bequeathed by Lady Katherine Binning (1871-1952) with Fenton House in 1952.
Makers and roles
style of Sir Astley Paston Cooper, 1st Baronet Cooper (1768 - 1841), designer