19th Century Ladders
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Period: 19th Century
Authentic Antique Brass Ship’s Ladder from the Late 19th Century
Located in Hamburg, DE
Step into the past with our authentic antique brass ship’s ladder dating back to the late 19th century. Originally crafted for ship cabins, this meticulous...
Category
British Belle Époque Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Folding Library Step Ladder
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome late 19th century French country folding library ladder. Featuring a handcrafted design with seven rungs or steps and iron hardware. From an estate in Santa Barbara, CA.
Category
French Country Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Iron
Rare Late Edo Period Japanese Tansu Steps Wabi Sabi
Located in London, GB
A large set of Japanese Edo period paper-lined steps used for the storage of tea.
Heavily patinated cedar with many age old repairs.
Likely used in a grocers.
Category
Japanese Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Cedar
Antique Leather Brass Library Steps
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
The 19th-century French library step ladder is an ideal antique to enhance any space. With a semi-circular design and four stairs surrounding a central post, it exudes elegance. Thi...
Category
French Victorian Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Brass
Regency Style Walnut Library Steps
Located in Clermont, FL
Regency style solid wood library steps. Beautifully carved, three steps are supported by tapered legs and a reeded column back. Finish is a medium brown walnut stain, with patina sho...
Category
British Regency Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Wood
Stunning Antique circa 1810 George III Elm & Leather Library Steps Georgian Home
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite circa 1810 George III elm & green leather library steps
What a thing of beauty, nothing screams Georgian decadence li...
Category
English George III Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Leather, Elm
Fine Antique Mid Victorian circa 1850 Metamorphic Library Steps Original
Located in GB
We are is delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Mid Victorian metamorphic library steps chair in oak with period carvings to the back
A very charming and highly collectable piece, designed as an at home library steps and reading chair, these are used to add a sense of grand occasion to a standard bookcase...
Category
English High Victorian Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Oak
Antique 1880 Arts & Crafts Metamorphic Library Steps Original Carpet Upholstery
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Arts & Crafts Victorian metamorphic library steps chair in oak with period upho...
Category
English Arts and Crafts Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Oak
Heavy Victorian Spiral Library Steps with Turned Supports
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Heavy Victorian Spiral Library Steps with Turned Supports
A Great set of Library Steps, the 3 steps are in a spiral formation, they are in good condition, very sturdy and very usefu...
Category
Adam Style Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Walnut
6ft Very Tall 19th Century Decorators Ladder This is a pretty big piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
6ft Very Tall 19th Century Decorators Ladder
This is a pretty big piece, it would make a superb decorative piece and has the original manufacturer’s label on the back
The Ladder...
Category
Industrial Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Pine
English Mahogany Bed Steps
Located in Wilson, NC
English mahogany bed steps, the three steps have tooled leather insets ( not original ) , the top step lifts up to reveal open storage, the middle step pulls out and originally had a...
Category
English Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Oak Library Step Ladder with Brass Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English oak step library ladder from the 19th century. Step into the pages of history with this 19th-century English oak library ladder, a mix of utilitarian function and classic ...
Category
English Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Brass
19Thc Mortised Textile /Quilt or Rug Rack
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Early & hand crafted quilt or textile rack.It folds up as its hinged.It has early mortised & pegged construction .It is in very good condition.
Category
American Adirondack Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Wood
19th Century Light-Brown French Walnut Library Ladder, Antique Book Shelf
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, antique French library ladder in a beautiful weathered condition and in good condition. It can be used as a practical piec...
Category
Italian Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Metal, Brass
French Country Metamorphic Chair and Sturdy Ladder Steps a Very Useful Piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French Country Metamorphic Chair and Sturdy Ladder Steps
A very useful piece, this handy little chair can be flipped over and turned into a small 4 step ladder...
Category
Arts and Crafts Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Oak
Antique Original Patina Painted Finish Library Reading Bookcase Steps Ladder
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original pine library steps or ladder to sit next to a bookcase
...
Category
English Victorian Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Pine
Regency Style Mahogany Library Steps
Located in Essex, MA
Typical form with green leather treads and turned tapered legs.
Category
English Regency Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Antique French Provincial Country Oak Wood Folding Library Step Ladder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Provincial country oak wood folding library step ladder. Item features remarkable patina, fold out steps, exposed joinery, solid wo...
Category
French Provincial Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Wood, Oak
Georgian Hardwood & Leather Library Steps, United Kingdom, Early 19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Fine Georgian (Regency Era) hardwood and leather library steps (doubles as an end table) - exceptional bench made quality with warm aged patina - featuring a solid wood frame with on...
Category
English Georgian Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Petite Antique French Gothic Revival Wood Hall Bench Child Settle Library Steps
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Rare antique wood hand carved gothic revival child settle / small hall bench / foldable Library Ladder, Metamorphic Library steps, 1880s
This uniqu...
Category
French Gothic Revival Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Oak metamorphic chair
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th Century oak metamorphic chair, with spindle back above solid seat the chair opens into a sturdy set of Library steps.
Dimensions
Height 34.5 Inc...
Category
British Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Oak
19th Century Oak Metamorphic Chair
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th Century oak metamorphic chair, with spindle back above solid seat the chair opens into a sturdy set of Library steps.
Dimensions
Height 35 Inches height to seat 17.5 Inches
W...
Category
British Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Oak
Antique 1830 William IV Flamed Hardwood Metamorphic Library Armchair Steps
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this large and collectable lightly restored William IV circa 1830 Flamed Mahogany, metamorphic armchair which converts into Library steps attributed to Gillows of Lancaster and London.
This is a wonderful piece of English history, I have never seen another with such elegant turned front legs, usually they are plainer and straight timber. The seat pad has been upholstered with a grey linen, the steps and raw flamed mahogany and look amazing.
This chair is an important and extremely expensive looking thing that commands attention in any setting. You can see the same model made by Gillows currently viewed in the Victorian & Albert Museum, below is an extra from their listing.
The period 1800-1825 was a great one for ‘patent’ or ‘metamorphic’ furniture This chair, which transforms into a short set of steps for use with bookshelves, is close to a design for a ‘Library Chair’ published in Rudolph Ackermann’s Repository of the Arts in July 1811, which was made by the London firm of Morgan and Saunders, of Catherine Street, Strand.
They were well known for their ingenious furniture, including reading chairs with writing surfaces attached and a great variety of travelling beds...
Category
English William IV Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Hardwood
Simplex Large Step Ladder
By Simplex
Located in Alton, GB
An original large simplex wooden step ladder in a bold red wash, consists of seven steps. The ladder closes by two metal hinges either side of the l...
Category
Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Wood
Old Ceramic Staircase Top Ball, S. XIX
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Elegant white ceramic staircase top ball with brass base.
Category
Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Brass
19th Century George III English Mahogany Metamorphic Step Ladder
Located in Forney, TX
A rare George III English mahogany metamorphic library step ladder from the 19th century that converts into a bench (also ideal for use as a side table, cocktail table). Having red i...
Category
George III Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Rustic Antique Swedish Step Ladder
Located in Dallas, TX
Rustic Antique Swedish Step Ladder is a reminder of a bygone era, long before the days of Home Depot and Ace Hardware! When one lived out in a rural area an...
Category
Swedish Rustic Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Oak
Large Library Step Ladder Attributed to London Film School by Stephens & Carter
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
An imposing 1970 film prop ladder by maker Stephens & Carter, stamped L.F.S (London Film School). In good solid condition with nice wear and paint.
Original...
Category
British Mid-Century Modern Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Wood
English Antique Wooden Folding Ladder with Tray Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
This well-worn and tall late 19th century English seven step folding ladder features a tray shelf at the top and has the original brackets, hardware, and dowels. The weathered patina...
Category
English Late Victorian Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Metal
English 19th c. Oak Library Steps with Handrail
Located in Greenwich, CT
A set of English 19th century library steps with integral handrail. In solid oak with decorative trefoil cutouts. A useful piece that also lends an erudite and architectural elemen...
Category
European Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Oak
Early Victorian Library Steps on Turned Legs
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early Victorian Library Steps on Turned Legs
A great set of Early Victorian Library steps
This set of steps is in good condition, the top ste...
Category
High Victorian Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Mahogany
English Late 19th Century Oak Five Steps Ladder with Brown Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English oak step ladder from the late 19th century, with brown patina. Created in England during the last decade of the 19th century, this oak ladder features five steps connected...
Category
English Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Oak
Arts & Crafts Mahogany Metamorphic Library Chair, English, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The side chair with turned back rails and legs converting to library steps.
Category
British Arts and Crafts Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Expandable English Mahogany Library Bed Step
Located in Forney, TX
A wonderful, rare, antique expandable English mahogany bed step from the 19th century. Features an extending lower step with an inset tooled leather panel...
Category
Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Oak Metamorphic Chair
Located in Cheshire, GB
Oak metamorphic chair, in Jacobean style the panelled back with pierced decoration with scrolling foliage. To the solid oak hinged seat folding to fo...
Category
British Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Oak
19th Century Mahogany Bedsteps with Chamber Drawer
Located in Charleston, SC
Great set of 19th century English mahogany and leather bedsteps with sliding chamber drawer.
Category
English Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Walnut Metamorphic Chair
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th century walnut metamorphic chair, with pierced back above solid seat the chair opens into a sturdy set of library steps.
Dimensions:
Height ...
Category
British Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Walnut
French 19th Century Orchard Ladder
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very charming 19th century orchard ladder from the South of France constructed from naturally washed wood. A terrific accent piece.
Category
French Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Wood
George III Mahogany Bedside Step Commode, England circa 1815
Located in San Francisco, CA
Geo. III mahogany bed step commode with leather inset top.
Purchased in England in the 1960's, and used as a sofa side table in an anglophile's home in ...
Category
English George III Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Italian Carved Walnut Wood Large Wood 3-Step Library Ladder
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian carved walnut wood large ladder with three stairs. In typical tuscan style, with great design and amazing detail in the carved frame decors all-around the side shape and each step. Versatile and practical, the elegant library essential is in excellent condition with a rich walnut patina. Use this vintage staircase...
Category
Italian Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Flower Table with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish flower table from Skelleftea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden.
Untouched originalpaint.
Small wood damage on one foot.
Made in painted pine.
Category
Swedish Gustavian Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Pine
English Mahogany Three-Tiered Fitted Interior Leather Bed Steps, Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
English mahogany three-tiered bed steps with tooled green leather, hinged fitted interior compartments, and terminating on turned bulbous ringed legs, Early 19th century.
Category
English George III Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Pine
Large French Industrial Library Ladder, circa 1900
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A large French industrial iron library ladder from a bank, circa 1900.
Category
French Industrial Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Iron
Regency Brass Inlaid Rosewood Metamorphic Bench
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular padded seat covered in brown leather, opening to reveal a set of library steps, over a solid inlaid seat-rail and ring-turned tapering legs ending in castors.
18in. high, 34 1/2in. wide and 16 1/2in. deep. Opened, 36in. high and 49in. wide.
Rooms organized during the Regency period as libraries often had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The upper shelves were difficult to reach, so movable library stairs were invaluable. Further, libraries were one of the most important rooms in a stately house, symbol of its owner's wealth, culture and status. As a consequence, designers, architects and cabinet or chair makers devoted much attention to its architecture and decoration. Hence, the emrgence of innovative ideas such as our bench.
Enter the Regency era metamorphic library chair/bench (chairs are more common than benches)!
The tables, chairs and stools containing library steps were patented in Great Britain by Robert Campbell in 1774 but this innovative chair-based design did not become immediately popular. Once the Regency was established, a neo-classical interpretation of Campbell’s Metamorphic Library Chair concept started to become popular in London. Any early attributions rely heavily on two contemporary sketches...
Category
English Regency Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Brass
Regency Mahogany Metamorphic Armchair
Located in Essex, MA
With horizontal tablet crestrail with scrolled ends over down scrolled arms raised on saber legs, chair folds forward to form a ladder.
Category
English Regency Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Other
Black Forest Walnut Library Ladder
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut 3 step library ladder with carved branch design. (late 19th cent.)
Category
German Black Forest Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Walnut
American Mahogany Serpentine Rail Library Steps, Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany three-tiered upholstered library steps with serpentine rails, cross stretchers, and terminating on turned bulbous legs. Early 19th century.
Category
American Regency Antique 19th Century Ladders
Pair of French Walnut Library Ladders
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French (19th Century) walnut library ladders with side railings and steps leading to a top platform (on casters) (attributed to Napoleon ...
Category
French Napoleon III Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Walnut
Sicilian Painted Pinewood Tall Ladder with Tray Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
Folding ladder having seven steps and a slatted tray, retaining antique iron hinges and hook for storage, very stabile and usable condition, late 1...
Category
Italian Antique 19th Century Ladders
English Regency Metamorphic Library Ladder
Located in New York, NY
English Regency mahogany metamorphic library table/steps with hinged top & lion finial on a scrolled base. (with registry tag for J. Brodey, Bristo...
Category
English Regency Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Country Carved Pine Folding Library Step Ladder
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study or a library with this whimsical antique ladder. Crafted in Lyon, France circa 1880 and made of pine, the sturdy step ladder features six steps including a wider and...
Category
French Country Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Iron
ANTiQUE FRENCH NAPOLEON III CIRCA 1850 HARDWOOD & LEATHER LIBRARY STEPS LADDER
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning Antique French Napoleon III circa 1850 Mahogany folding library steps with green leather tread...
Category
French Napoleon III Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Victorian Walnut Library Step
Located in Garnerville, NY
Elegant Victorian walnut fold out library step. The compact way of getting to those hard to reach books or objects on the highest shelf. Circa 1880-1900. When closed it could functio...
Category
American Late Victorian Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Steel, Iron
19th Century French Carved Beech Wood Chair Folding Step Ladder
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a library or study with this artisan-made folding step ladder chair. Crafted in Southern France circa 1880, the metamorphic chair features two carved ladders in the back with a handle for easy handle; the double-function piece is hinged so that it can convert into a ladder with four stairs (maximum height of 33.5"). Iron straps with hooks allow for the piece to be secured in place both as a chair or as a ladder. The antique country ladder chair is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use with a rich walnut patina. A piece of ingenious French design, this versatile antique ladder...
Category
French Country Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Beech
Antique Arts & Crafts Metamorphic Library Steps Ladder Side Table Brass Tread
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Arts & Crafts Victorian metamorphic library steps side table in oak with period brass trea...
Category
English Arts and Crafts Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Wooden Library Steps
Located in High Point, NC
Wooden library steps created in 19th century France. Thoughtfully shaped and soothingly designed, this small staircase, created for reaching the top she...
Category
French French Provincial Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Wood
French, 19th Century, Library Steps
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French 19th century library step ladder is the perfect functional antique to elevate any space. The semi-circular ladder features four stairs rolled around a turned central post...
Category
French Other Antique 19th Century Ladders
Materials
Brass
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