A Regency fiddle back mahogany combined library armchair and metamorphic steps, after a design by Morgan and Sanders, early 19th century, the grooved curved bar back and splat above a green leather seat and between grooved scroll arms hinged to form four green leather tread library steps and raised on reeded sabre legs and brass castors seat depth 50cm, 90cm high

Footnote

This armchair is based on a design in Ackermann's 1811 'Repository of Art where it is described as 'the best and handsomest article ever invented, where two complete pieces of furniture are combined in one- an elegant and truly comfortable armchair and a set of library steps.' See Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840 published by The Furniture History Society, 1986 Edited by Geoffrey Beard and Christopher Gilbert, pg 626-7 where Morgan and Sanders are listed at 16 and 17 Catherine Street, Strand, London as cabinet makers and upholsterers (1801-20). The Dictionary notes that 'The Metamorphic Library Chair which performed equally as a set of library steps or as an armchair was featured in Ackermann's Repository in July 1811'