O-539 • chair (barber)
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Specifications
| Artists | Koken Manufacturing Company Limited (manufacturer) |
|---|---|
| Date | Circa 1940 |
| Inscriptions |
(1) KOKEN COMPANIES REG US PAT OFF ST.LOUIS, U.S.A. PATENTED
(2) KOKEN US PAT OFF
(3) 546 KOKEN
(4) KOKEN CO PAT ST LOUIS 43
|
| Materials | metal, unidentified • leatherette • ceramic, porcelain |
| Dimensions (cm) | 106.0 (Length) • 67.0 (Width) • 107.0 (Height) |
| Functions | Furniture |
| Barcode | 602957 |
Barber's chair
The barber’s chair is a reminder of a time when daily life on Parliament Hill included amenities such as haircuts, and a time when even ordinary objects were designed with artistic flair.
It was built by Koken Companies, of St. Louis, Missouri; founder Earnest Koken is credited with the invention of the modern barber chair. A porcelain base supports a metal frame, with porcelain back and armrests. Almost every inch of surface is molded or cast with decoration. The padded headrest, with its patented paper tissue dispenser, is deeply etched with vines of flowing leaves.
Sadly, like the days of such personal services at Parliament, the Koken Companies no longer exist.