Chairs are a normal part of our lives, so people never really stop to think about where they come from or how they have changed throughout history. But the history of the chair is an interesting story about how humans have always looked for both styles and functions in everyday objects.
The origin of the chair dates back to thousands of years ago. The first chairs weren’t even for normal people, instead, they were made for important people such as kings, leaders, and others. These early chairs at the time were called thrones, which were a symbol of power and importance. They were mostly made out of things like stone or wood and had detailed and beautiful carvings, making them look fancy and grand. Regular people in ancient times sat on things like benches, stools, and even on the ground.
The oldest chair in the world is the “Tutankhamun Throne.” This throne was found in the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. Dating back around 1323 BCE, this chair wasn’t just useful, but it was also a work of art, covered in pretty gold and decorated images. It shows us how chairs were more about statues than just comfort in the ancient days.
Over time chairs became less exclusive and more practical. In ancient Greece and Rome, chairs started showing up in richer people’s households, and by the Middle Ages, they turned into a common thing for nobility. During the Renaissance, chairs were designed with a focus on looking nice and pretty, most of the time having fancy details and carved wood.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, there was mass production, which made chairs affordable for everyone, not just rich people. Styles like the Windsor chair and the rocking chair became normal household objects. In today’s age, chairs come in an infinite amount of designs, from ergonomic office chairs to pretty and sleek minimalist ones made for style and aesthetics.
The evolution of the chair is an important reminder of how even the most simple of objects can tell an incredible story about humanity’s progress.
RELATED STORIES:
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/08/chairs-history-witold-rybczynski/497657/
https://www.cadeiras.net/en/news/1183-the-origin-of-the-chair/
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