What a great find this gentlemens’ dressing chair was last week, a fine example of valet furniture. It was manufactured by The Setwell Company in Traverse City, Michigan and the delivery tag is still intact underneath the seat which dates it to 1964.
Valet furniture developed during a time when it was more common for everyday dress to be a bit finer. This chair features a hanger, a tray behind it for small items such as a wallet or watch, and a bar that runs along the tray for hanging pants and a tie. In fact, my mother just informed me that with the money from her first job, she bought her father a valet chair. There are various types and forms – for instance, the seat of the chair my mother bought back in the late ‘60s opened to reveal a storage compartment. There are valet stands without the seat, but in addition to the built-in hanger, might have a drawer, and racks for pants and shoes; or valet boxes - basically a mens jewelry box - like this sweet little monogrammed leather one that I also just picked up.
The box, I will, but not letting go of the chair just yet…it’s doing its job just fine in the shop.
