RARE Antique BENTWOOD EBONIZED CHAIR

Bentwood chairs are those distinctive chairs that have rounded pieces of wood, bent into curlicues, serving as arms, legs and stretchers. They are exceptionally decorative and have been made consistently since their invention in the early 1800s. The wood was soaked, steamed, molded and bent into various shapes. Bentwood pieces were usually made from a variety of different woods. Most of the bentwood seen in the 19th century was made in France, Poland and Austria. Most early bentwood pieces were marked with the country of origin and/or the maker. They were marked with stencils and/or paper labels -- usually marked in the inside of the rim under the chair's seat. Bentwood is making a comeback and this sort of design has a vintage and collectable value and are no longer in production.

The following is one that I sold eariler: