Historical information
The first factory manufactured chairs date to c1850. With a foot rest in 1878 and with a mechanically raised and lowered chair. Chairs have an adjustable height with foot operated jack or hand operated lever on the side. The chair can also rotate, or lean backwards (for hair washing and shaving) and has a head rest .Old Barber's chairs are made from metal and leather and are heavy.
Significance
Mt Beauty township had a Barber's business during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and beyond.
""Sam The Barber" was an original Kiewa character. Probably for 45 years cut the hair of thousands of Kiewa workers with his scissors, hand clippers and cut throat razor." Ref. online: "The Mt Beauty & Murray connection"
Physical description
Brown leather padded seat, back rest, headrest and armrest. At the front of the arm rest is a wooden section (maybe for a cuppa?). The chair has a steel frame and foot rest. There is a large white enamel disc under the seat and a white enamel stand with a steel perimeter. A metal lever joins from the back of the footrest to the base enabling the chair to be tilted back.
Inscriptions & markings
Embossed on foot rest: "Raynor"