An easy chair, usually with a somewhat reclining back and open arms. Some versions were made with detachable book and feet rests. Also of interest are metamorphic chairs, a chair which opened up to become a set of library steps. These are quite rare and keenly sought because of their dual function, when they come onto the market.

A substantial table, equipped with drawers or cupboards, and sometimes with an adjustable reading rack, designed to stand in the centre of the library. They took the form either of a pedestal desk at which two people could sit opposite each other, or of a more conventional table form. The tops were generally lined with tooled leather. Many Australian examples in red cedar and sometimes stained pine survive from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

17 items found:

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Contemporary library chair, folding out to library steps

Foldable Library Chair: Versatile Seating and Convenient Steps

Contemporary library chair, folding out to library steps

A scarce library Chair/Folding ladder an unusual colonial era,…

Colonial Era Jarrah Library Chair/Ladder

A scarce library Chair/Folding ladder an unusual colonial era, Western Australian, jarrah metamorphic library chair with ladder back and folding frame. C.1900. Chair height: 89 cm. The ladder top step 88 cm

An antique metamorphic fold-over library steps chair,…

Metamorphic Library Chair with Parquetry Motif

An antique metamorphic fold-over library steps chair, Queensland maple and eucalypt with parquetry motif, late 19th century maker's label to underside 86 cm high

A metamorphic library chair in the Regency manner, converts to…

Regency Library Chair/Steps

A metamorphic library chair in the Regency manner, converts to a set of library steps, after an 1810 design by Morgan & Sanders, steps: 72 cm high, 58 cm wide, 94 cm deep

An Edwardian Arts & Crafts. metamorphic library steps,…

Arts & Crafts Library Chair with Metamorphic Steps

An Edwardian Arts & Crafts. metamorphic library steps, decorative bar backs to the chair, leather inserts to the steps. 38 x 33 x 85 cm.

An antique metamorphic library chair, carved walnut, circa 1890,…

1890 Walnut Library Chair with Metamorphic Design

An antique metamorphic library chair, carved walnut, circa 1890, 89 cm high

A rare Australian fold-over library chair/steps, Australian…

Rare 19th Century Australian Cedar Library Chair/Steps

A rare Australian fold-over library chair/steps, Australian cedar, 19th century, 91 cm high as steps

Oak metamorphic library chair

Metamorphic Oak Library Chair

Oak metamorphic library chair

An early 20th century oak metamorphic chair/step stool, of…

Oak Metamorphic Chair/Step Stool

An early 20th century oak metamorphic chair/step stool, of solid oak construction hinging to convert from a chair to a four step stool. Height of stool. 90.5 cm. Provenance: The Flower Family Collection.

An oak library chair/step. 91 cm high.

Oak Library Chair/Step - 91cm High

An oak library chair/step. 91 cm high.

A carved walnut metamorphic library step chair, 107 cm high, 38…

Walnut Metamorphic Library Step Chair

A carved walnut metamorphic library step chair, 107 cm high, 38 cm wide, 40 cm deep

An Arts & Crafts oak metamorphic library chair. Height 90 cm

Oak Metamorphic Library Chair

An Arts & Crafts oak metamorphic library chair. Height 90 cm

Vintage teak and brass library chair/steps

Teak and Brass Library Chair-Steps

Vintage teak and brass library chair/steps

French metamorphic library chair (labelled)

French Metamorphic Chair

French metamorphic library chair (labelled)

Antique metamorphic library chair, 88 cm tall, with fold out…

Metamorphic Library Chair with Fold-Out Steps

Antique metamorphic library chair, 88 cm tall, with fold out steps

A Regency style metamorphic library chair with scrolled arms

Regency Metamorphic Library Chair with Scrolled Arms

A Regency style metamorphic library chair with scrolled arms

An Edwardian mahogany metamorphic library step chair

Mahogany Library Step Chair

An Edwardian mahogany metamorphic library step chair