Collectable Antique Koken barber chair 1920’s

This antique chair is a Koken barber chair, likely dating from the 1920s. Manufactured by the Koken Barber Supply Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, these chairs were historically considered "state-of-the-art" because they were among the first to incorporate hydraulic lifting mechanisms for easy height adjustment.Key Design FeaturesArt Deco Styling: Materials: It is constructed from white enameled cast iron (porcelain finish) and metal components, which were sometimes nickel-plated or chromed during restoration.Upholstery: The chair typically features leather upholstery—black in this instance—on a circular swivel seat.Functional Parts:Footrest: Includes a pivoting metal footrest with intricate decorative casting, often featuring the Koken brand name.Armrests: White enameled porcelain arms.Mechanism: A side handle operates the internal hydraulic system for reclining and raising the chair

The Koken Barber Supply Co. was a major supplier of tonsorial equipment from the late 19th through the mid-20th century. Fully restored versions of these 1920s porcelain chairs are highly collectible, with some examples valued between $3,900 and over $7,000. Variations of this specific round-seat design were also used in significant historical locations, such as the Provisional Parliament House in Australia starting in the 1920s.