| Posted : | 4/21/2025 |
| Modified : | 4/24/2025 |
| Seller : | CoveRidge |
| Phone : | 4233600528 |
| Views : | 169 |
| Price : | $3,950.00 |
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Fully restored - Excellent condition!
A 1905 Koken barber chair is a highly sought-after antique, emblematic of early 20th-century barbershop culture and engineering innovation. Ernest Koken, a German-born engineer based in St. Louis, Missouri, patented the first hydraulic barber chair in 1892, revolutionizing the industry with adjustable, reclining designs. By 1905, Koken’s “Congress” model, often cited from this period, was a pinnacle of craftsmanship, featuring:
Materials and Design - Quarter-sawn oak or walnut frames with intricate wood carvings, tufted leather upholstery, and nickel-plated metal accents. The base was typically porcelain-enameled iron, with scroll designs on seat brackets and footrests.
Hydraulic Mechanism - The defining feature, allowing barbers to raise, lower, and tilt the chair via a joystick-style lever, a groundbreaking convenience at the time.
Produced by Koken Barbers’ Supply Co., these chairs were status symbols in barbershops, reflecting the era’s blend of functionality and opulence.