| Today, an antique barber chair is no longer confined in | | | | were intricately carved with beautiful designs that |
| the premises of a traditional barber shop. With its | | | | often integrate the name of the company everywhere |
| intricate and high-quality wood carvings and metalwork, | | | | on the chair. These have tufted leather seats, which |
| it is a beautiful piece that could put character and | | | | have black, green, or red color variations just to name |
| richness into your home. For antique lovers, an antique | | | | a few. The arm and foot rests are also completely |
| chair from a barber shop is definitely a great addition | | | | padded. |
| to your collection. | | | | The pioneering company of barber chairs in the United |
| It was not until the early 1800's that companies started | | | | States was the Eugene Berninghaus Company, which |
| to come out and produce their own patented barber | | | | started their operation in 1875. Their products were so |
| chairs. These antique chairs were built to have reclining | | | | famous that they even appeared in films, such as "The |
| back rests, 360 degree spinning capabilities, head and | | | | Great Dictators" that featured Charles Chaplin and |
| foot rests, wooden frames, metal trimmings, | | | | also in the film "Time Machine" by M.G.M. in 1960. |
| upholstered seats, and hydraulic lifts. | | | | Their popular collection of barber r furniture, also |
| During these times, there were two distinguished | | | | known as Hercules, was made from maple, cherry, |
| manufacturing companies that existed - the Koken | | | | mahogany, oak, walnut, and Birdseye. The Hercules |
| Company and the Eugene Berninghaus Company. One | | | | number 58 has a one-hand lever - conveniently |
| is the pioneering company of the barber chairs industry | | | | situated on the right side of the chair - that controls its |
| while the other invented the first ever fully-functional | | | | entire mechanical function. This chair can be swiveled, |
| hydraulic lift chairs. Which is which? | | | | reclined, lowered, and raised. The exceptional detailing |
| Ernest Koken was the inventor of the first prototypes | | | | of this chair contains elegant wood carvings and |
| of hydraulic-lifted barber chairs during the late 18th | | | | upholstered leather seats. |
| century. His famous company, Koken Barbers Supply, | | | | One rule of thumb in antique shopping is that a |
| was the leading manufacturer in the barber industry | | | | low-priced barber chair would normally mean that it's in |
| from the late 1800's and went out of business in the | | | | a bad shape. An antique barber chair that's in great |
| 1950's. | | | | physical and working condition is priced anywhere |
| Their stylish products were made from solid wood | | | | from $5,000-$6,000. So, before you buy anything, |
| materials, such as oak and walnut, and had exposed | | | | make sure that you explore your options for a |
| metal frameworks. Both of these structural materials | | | | high-quality antique barber chair. |