This is another form of board-seated chair. The three-legged
design would appear to have originated in Northern Europe. Chairs of this style in
various forms - stools, backed chairs, and armchairs - can be seen in Flemish, Dutch and
French paintings and prints dating from the 15th century. It would seem that chairs
in this style were being made in England by the 17th century. Contrary to
appearances, these chairs are quite comfortable when fitted (as all board-seated chairs
commonly were) with a cushion. Led blind-folded to sit in this chair, the person
seated would not guess they were in anything but a square chair - unless they were to lean
back.
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