Barber's chair, wood, modified for dental extractions, possibly Dutch, 1701-1800
This barber's chair from the 1700s has been modified for dental extractions. This is unsurprising. Barbers during this era routinely performed operations such as dental extraction and bloodletting. They were known as ‘Barber-surgeons’. The solid wooden chair is made from English ash and elm. It encouraged the patient to lean back. This made access easier for the barber. The neck rest has been added to support the head while he operated.