Can kids actually sit in them?

Most antique childs chairs are robust enough for daily use. The joints on country pieces were built to withstand heavy handling in busy farmhouses. Always check the frame for wobble before putting a child in one. A loose leg can be glued, but weak spindles might snap if leaned on.

I noticed the seat height on the wooden chair I bought is quite low, was this meant for a very small toddler or a different table?

Low seats were often designed for the nursery rather than the dining room. Children sat in them by the fire, away from the main adult furniture. They pair well with low nursery tables from the same period. Some were simply standard chairs with the legs sawn down later in life. Look at the feet to see if the turning ends abruptly.

How do I clean the wood?

Dust them with a dry cloth. Apply clear beeswax polish yearly to feed the timber. Avoid spray polishes. Water damages old animal glues and strips the original finish.

There is a hole right through the armrests on my high chair, did it once have a tray attached or some kind of safety strap?

Those holes usually held a retaining bar. A turned wooden rod slid through the arms to keep the child from falling forward out of the seat. Trays are less common on early pieces. Children ate from the main table, so the chair simply needed to secure them at the right height.

Home > Chairs > Childs Chairs > Page 7

Antique Childs Chairs

← Page 7 of 10 →

Scaled-down versions of standard seating, antique childs chairs were built to elevate a young child to the family table or provide them an independent seat in the nursery.