Victorian Childs Correctional Chair

A charming child’s Regency deportment or correction chair made from beech with cane seat.

This deportment chair is also known as the Astley Cooper Chair. It was the invention of Sir Astley Paston Cooper (1768-1841), a surgeon and anatomist. He developed it to correct faulty posture in children: the design of the chair forces children to sit on it correctly. Good posture meant keeping a straight back and upright head, and moving in a dignified and elegant way. It was considered very important, partly for medical reasons but also for discipline.

These chairs were often found in the corner of a Victorian classroom or nursery. When children were naughty it was seen as a good form of punishment. The child would be made to sit on the chair for a long period of time. It would have been quite uncomfortable and having a small seat there would not be space to fidget or slouch. They would have to stay in a bolt upright position, if not they would have fallen off. A fantastic piece of British history. C1840

Dimensions – H: 98cm W: 32cm D: 30cm SeatHeight: 52.5cm