Thomas Nevin’s studio decor: the lady’s slipper chair
In many studio portraits taken at the City Photographic Establishment, 140 Elizabeth St. Hobart Town by Thomas Nevin well into 1870s, the shiny slipper chair is an eye-grabber. With every year passing, the leather – what else could it be? – acquired a higher and higher sheen. In one photograph below, of a young man posing with Nevin’s big tabletop stereoscopic viewer, the partially uncovered seat of the slipper chair might indicate the chair was of different fabric to the leather cover, and that a change of cover was underway for cleaning. Lemon, vinegar, alcohol or other acidic preparations were used to cleanse and disinfect leather chair covers. The animal or plant used in making the cover, and the method of rendering such a high sheen was achieved with oil-based soaps and polishes derived from plants such as olives, though these would have stained women’s dresses, so too would wax derived from candles. Used by men, women and children according to their height, the slipper chair – also known as the “low chair” and “nursing chair” – in 19th century studio portraiture provided a handy means of support for the standing subject while waiting for exposure of the image on the glass negative. For the sitting subject, especially women of shorter stature, their preference to relax and rest their weary feet on the floor was convenable to the photographer’s need to see them steadied and ready, than have them standing rigidly posed for minutes on end. … More Thomas Nevin’s studio decor: the lady’s slipper chair
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