19th Century French Walnut Scallop Shell Musician's Stool

19th Century French Walnut Scallop Shell Musician's Stool harks back to a time before digital music, cassettes, and radio ~ when music was all performed live.  Families of affluence emphasized musical training from an early age, with instruments that are still common in today's orchestras plus a few instruments that have gone the way of the dinosaur.  This intriquing musician's stool, set upon a steel screw mechanism that is hidden by a lovely turned central shaft, can raise and lower a little bit to accommodate different seat height preferences.  The scallop shell form was chosen not only for its intrinsic beauty but its amazing and surprising comfort.  The base consists of a tripod of elegantly scrolled cabriole legs tipped with lions' paws for feet and connected with a three-pronged base to which the central turned shaft is also connected.  Carvings of florals, foliates and scrollwork appear on the shoulders  of the legs as well as the undulating form of the wraparound apron.  Truly a connoisseur's chair if there ever was one!
Circa 1880s
Measures 23.5H x 18W x 14.5D; seat 19.5H