Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Sian Cullen recently made the decision to sell an unusual piece she once purchased on social media: an interrogation chair accompanied by a matching cage. The Nottingham-based history enthusiast, who studied at Nottingham University, explained that her interest lies particularly in the darker and more macabre aspects of history. The chair and cage have been stored in her garage since the acquisition roughly two and a half years ago, but as she prepares to relocate to Scotland, she feels it is time to part with them. They are set to go under the hammer at Arthur Johnson & Sons in Nottingham, with an estimated value between £2,500 and £3,500.
Ms Cullen described the purchase as somewhat impulsive, admitting she didn’t give it much thought beforehand and does not recall the exact amount she paid, though she notes it was modest. Despite the initial enthusiasm, she acknowledges that if her living space were larger, she might have kept the chair as a conversation starter. Friends who have visited her home expressed fascination, some even venturing inside the cage. The history behind such items, known also as torture or iron chairs, relates to their grim purpose: they were historically used to inflict pain and extract confessions from captives. According to Ms Cullen, her chair shows clear signs of previous use, evident in the worn seats, though she insists she has never actually used the chair herself.
Richard Griza, the auctioneer and valuer at Arthur Johnson & Sons, highlighted the chair’s rarity, noting that it is a twin-seat model, whereas most surviving examples tend to be single chairs. He pointed out distinctive features such as metal studs appearing only on the armrests and headrest, unlike other chairs where nails cover more extensively. The iron nails are hand-forged, suggesting craftsmanship from the 16th or 17th century, although Griza emphasized that he intends to conduct further research before finalizing the catalogue details. The leather straps on the chair, however, are likely later additions, possibly Victorian, as they differ in style from the original iron fittings, which would have included hinges and screws to adjust pressure.
The chair and its accompanying cage are both made from English elm, leading Griza to speculate they might originate from England, although similar Spanish chairs exist with comparable construction. The auction is scheduled for 6 December, and the expert expressed hope that these items might be acquired by a museum, allowing the public to learn about this darker facet of history. Nevertheless, there is also the possibility that the chair could end up in a private collection, perhaps abroad, especially given the strong interest among American collectors in early European artifacts related to interrogation and torture
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.