Chair - Wood

Multifunctional Metamorphic 4‑in‑1 Chair – Late 19th / Early 20th Century

An extraordinary example of period transforming furniture, this rare metamorphic chair in solid wood combines mechanical ingenuity, practicality, and antique charm. Dated to the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, it features a solid structure with a warm walnut patina, characterized by a high, shaped backrest and a seat with an elegant wavy edge.

Thanks to an original sophisticated articulated system, the piece can assume four different configurations: a chair, a library ladder, an ironing board, and a storage compartment. The backrest folds down to become a practical ironing surface, secured by wooden guide arms with a threaded pin and a vintage metal wing nut, ensuring stability and safety during use. The structure also converts into a robust multi‑level ladder, ideal for reaching high shelves, while a discreet internal compartment hidden in the lower step offers storage space originally intended for household accessories.

The quality of workmanship, exceptional versatility, and excellent state of conservation make this piece a rare testament to late 19th‑century design ingenuity, ideal for collectors of transformable furnishings, curious mechanical devices, and functional antique pieces.

Dimensions of the piece:

Configuration: Chair – Height 116 cm | Width 40 cm | Depth 60 cm

Configuration: Ironing board / drying rack – Height 87 cm | Length 110 cm | Depth 33 cm