over many centuries the folding chair was considered
one of the most important pieces of furniture and a prized
status symbol. in ancient civilizations folding stools/ chairs
were used not merely for sitting but also for ceremonial use.
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among the most significant examples of egyptian furniture
is the wooden folding stool. it originates in the middle
kingdom(2000-1500 B.C.) and it was made from two
straight interlocking frames with a leather seat.
it is said that it was first developed as a portable chair
for the commanding officer in the army.
new kingdom examples are more elaborate having the
floor rails and crossing spindles finished with carved goose
head terminals which are inlaid with ivory to imitate the eyes
and neck feathers.
the folding chair was also the symbol of the worthy divinity
- see tutankhamun's throne, the foldable seat with a
(later added) back support.
materials:
wood (cedar, ebony), leather (from goat's skin preferred),
decorative elements (ivory, gold, silver).
construction, front- or side- X?
- as a seat of dignity and authority (its symbolic status)
the egyptian folding stool had the crossed legs placed laterally !
the simple camp folding stool with leather seat could have been
used whether front- or side- X, but the more elaborate folding
stool had a downward curvature of seat rails
- and a cushions added for major comfort -
which 'obliged' the side- X use.
- legs joined to seat rails and foot-bars
- two four-sided frames connected by the seat at top and at
a pivot connection in the center (usually riveted on the inner side).
iconography :
we said that the folding stool had a symbolic and ceremonial status.
egyptians painted folding stools - and people seated on folding
stools - with the X placed laterally.
given the social importance of the folding chair in those times,
a folding chair had to be represented as a folding chair.
thus, the X had to be visible, regardless of the (casual) seating
position. beside this, egyptians painted essentially human profiles
and not front views. that's why we cannot be sure of the exact
sitting position on folding stools if we base our information only
on those paintings.
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folding stool from thebes,
c. 1450-1400 B.C.
folding stool from thebes,
c. 1450-1400 B.C.
egyptian scene
tutankhamun's throne,
the national museum, cairo
tutankhamen sits on a folding stool.
detail of a relief of the little golden shrine, found in his tomb.
an egyptian of high rank seated on a folding chair
drawing from a wall painting, 1500 - 1400 B.C.
in the british museum, london
egyptian scene
folding stool from the bronze age, jutland, danmark.
the egyptian influence is evident.
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