Smoking chair

Chairs of this form were known by various names in colonial America. “Corner chair” and “roundabouts” were two popular names. In Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and sometimes Britain they were often called “smoking chairs”. Lord Botetourt’s 1770 inventory for the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg listed four smoking chairs, two in the parlor and two in the dining room. Other 18th century inventories located the form in bedchambers and halls. These chairs were often employed for writing, reading, and related activities. Some with deep, concealing skirts were fitted with supports for chamber pots (this one was not).

This example was originally owned at Criss Cross, a house in New Kent, County, Virginia. The chair has been reduced in height by the removal of its feet. This may have been an in-use change, perhaps to accomdate an elderly or infirm user, or to remove some sort of damage to the feet.
Learn more at the link below.