Very Old Antique Savonarola X Chair

I started the title with “Very Old” to make sure to communicate that this is the real thing, not an 19th or 20th century chair. The threads of the metal through rod and nuts are hand cut by a blacksmith and a bit crude at that(pictured).

These chairs were made to travel. They fold easily. This design is the basis for more recent campaign chair, but it takes its inspiration from an even earlier chair, the curela from ancient Rome. This chair would have been made and used by someone important at the time. The carving is truly exceptional !

This chair has NOT been restored. I’ve spent parts of the last two days gently cleaning it with Q tips and water color brushes and oiling it with a thinned coat of teak oil. No sanding, no touch ups, no repairs! Basically the museum way.

On the back of the chair there would have been wood blocks which would have covered the bolts.They are missing.

Included in the photos is a documented 17th century very similar chair.(Photo is very light compared to other photos.)

Finding an unrestored original Savonarola chair is not easy. When I purchased this as part of an estate I heard someone whisper Napoleon but it might have been Solo, not Bonaparte. I’ll ask Illya Kuryakin if I run into him but he’s notoriously secret.