Dental Chairs Description

Selected dental chairs from U of T Dental Museum Collection

McLaren Wilkerson chair front view. A dental chair from circa 1897, with a footrest, and plush seat, back, arm rests, and head rest. A metal spittoon is at the right arm rest. Photo courtsy Jeff Comber.
McLaren Wilkerson chair back view. A dental chair from circa 1897, with a foot rest, and plush seat, back, arm rests, and head rest. A metal spittoon sits at the right arm rest. Photo courtesy Jeff Comber.
Archer chair front view. A dental chair from circa the 1860s, with plush seat, back, arm rests, and head rest. A metal spittoon and a small side table with drawers are attached to the left arm rest. Photo from front cover of the U of T Faculty of Dentistry 1994-95 Calendar.
Archer chair back view. A dental chair from circa the 1860s, with plush seat, back, arm rests, and head rest. A metal spittoon and a small side table with drawers are attached to the left arm rest. Photo from back cover of the U of T Faculty of Dentistry 1994-95 Calendar.
Allison chair front view. A dental chair from circa 1880, with a foot rest. Wooden seat, back and arm rests with padded head rest. Base is made of ornate metal and rests on porcelain casters. Photo from the front cover of the U of T Faculty of Dentistry 1993-94 Calendar.
Allison chair back view. A dental chair from circa 1880, with a foot rest. Wooden seat, back and arm rests with padded head rest. Base is made of ornate metal with "Allison" printed on the back, and rests on porcelain casters. Photo from the back cover of the U of T Faculty of Dentistry 1993-94 Calendar.
Child's dental chair from circa 1890s, with a foot rest. Base and arm rests are made of wood, and the seat, back, foot rest and head rest are upholstered with leather. Photo from Dental Museum collection.
"White line" dental chair, made entirely of metal with partially missing padded head rest. Photo from Dental Museum collection.
Likely the handhewn pine dental chair described below, made mostly of wood, including arm rests and the foot rest, with a padded head rest and some metal pieces. Photo from Dental Museum collection.
Portable white metal tubular dental chair, made mostly of metal with leather seat, back and head rest. Photo from Dental Museum collection.
Portable folding army dental chair, made almost entirely of metal, including seat, foot rest, and accompanying stool, with fabric head rest. Photo from Dental Museum collection.
Likely the Ross portable chair described below. From the late 1800s, made mostly of wood with plush seat, back, head rest, and foot rest. Photo from the Dentistry Museum collection.
Portable wooden oak chair, possibly from the 1860s. Made mostly of wood with metal rods to attach armrests and leather seat and head rest. Photo from Dental Museum collection.

The following description of the U of T Dentistry Museum's Dental Chair Collection was written by Dr. Anne Dale, longtime musuem curator in two separate handwritten sets of notes. These notes have been transcribed here:

[beginning of first file, page 1]

37 Chairs + 3-4 relics

1 CYCAN
1 Shang Hai
2 Waiting room chairs
3 Board room chairs
- 2 Oak desk armchairs
- 1 Home made wooden chair for Guelph
1 Platform chair – Orangeville
5 Archer chairs
1 Morrison
1 Wilkerson
1 Allison
2 Pedo
2 Goulds
1 Xray

[page 2]

8 Columbia round base style.
- 1 National
3 Aseptic

3 relics
2 wooden portable chairs – arm desk chair style
- 1 white wooden w/ black upholstery
- 1 red mahogany w/ black seat & metal adjustments across the back
1 Cream DIAMOND w/ black seat 1917
- Donated by Dr. Paul & Dawn Macklin, Peterborough

[page 3]

Library Storage

1 Brown leather – SSW, round base, white porcelain armrests
1 All black & black armrests – round base with green 1" circle around base
1 Ivory chair with grey linoleum type footrest and further black footrest – black worn wooden arm-rests
1 Ivory SSW with black wooden armrests.
1 Ivory The New Columbian
- The Clark Dental Manufacturing Co.
- Toronto
- Black (worn) wooden armrests

[page 4]

SUB BASEMENT

3 old relics
1 Archer w/ pedo position
2 RCDSO Boardroom chairs
1 NATIONAL – black leather, black wooden armrests, red linoleum footrest, (not polished)
2 ASEPTIC white metal chairs, “examination chairs”
1 modern Gould chair (not polished)
1 Archer – faded greenish seat, red armsides

[page 5]

The magnificent black iron MORRISON CHAIR

Morrison introduced his first dental chair in 1867, noteworthy in that it incorporated a wide range of adjustments[.] The ODA was organized in 1867.

The Morrison Chair was patented in 1872.

It was in use at the RCDS Clinic at 93 College St. and at the Great War Cow Palace Clinic[.] Dr. Willmott sold 25 of these chairs to the armed forces when the Dental Corps was established, the first military dental clinics in the British Empire[.]

Because of its vertical range of 17 inches it was the first chair that permitted the dentist to work in a standing or sitting position

The Morrison Chair was manufactured by the Charles Hubard Co. Ltd, Toronto, Ont.

[page 6]

The WILKERSON CHAIR, the first PUMP type HYDRAULIC dental chair was introduced in 1877.

The chairs were mostly designed for stand-up dentistry

The McLaren Wilkerson dental chair is beautifully ornate c.1897, donated by SSW to RCDS.

It was manufactured in Toronto at corner of Adelaide and Bay streets about 1880 at a price of $130.00

Advert: “The headrest that is particularly adapted to suit any style the lady’s hair is put upon so the head is securely in whatever position the dentist requires it”

The chair is highly and artistically ornamented in gold. All bright parts are nickle [sic] plated.

The chair is upholstered in maroon plush and the mahogany frame decorated with bucolic scenes on the chair back and on the rise of the footrest.

[page 7]

The McLaren Wikerson was the dental chair used at the 93 College St RCDS clinic.

The McLaren chair was donated to the museum by Dean J. B. Willmott.

(DR. McDONAGH’S)

[page 8]

Period Handhewn Pine Dental Chair

An early wooden pine dental chair from the Pembrook area with thick cross braced 4 legged base, metal pedal and attachment to raise the chair.

Upholstered square padded seat and back in black fabric (now faded brown tone)

The back reclines by means of screwed backpiece and metal reinforcement at the base.

The head rest is padded and can be adjusted for height and incline

Was accessioned from the Guelph Museum (Peter Peloso Chair)

The chair is in excellent condition

[page 9]

SSW 1917 DIAMOND CHAIR

Cream color with black leather seat and back

The chair belonged to Dr. Wilf J. Preston, 19T09 and son G. L. Preston, 19T22 who also used the Diamond chair in GALT.

The Diamond Chair was donated by Dr. E. Paul Macklin ‘6T8, Petersborough

The 1917 COLUMBIAN DENTAL CHAIR

The Columbian was donated by Dr. AKERMAN, June 1994

The chair was made by the National Refinery Co

[page 10]

Antique CHILD’S DENTAL CHAIR, circa 1890s

Fern stand design small child’s wooden and black leather upholstered chair

The pedodontic chair was presented to Dr. Norman Levine on his retirement from the Pedodontic Clinic by Dr. Jack Dale who brought the chair back on a plane from a lecture trip to Tennessee.

Note the large circular hole in the back to grasp the child’s shirt

And note the belt restraint marks in the leather upholstered armrests

A PUMP COLUMBIA CHAIR c. 1915-1920

From the Pedodontic Clinic 230 College St.

With dark green metal base, black leather seat and back

The pump lever is marked D. N. C.

Donated by Mrs Christine Wickson

[page 11]

THE CYCLOID CHAIR

WOODEN PLATFORM STYLE CHAIR

Introduced in 1884

The PLATFORM CHAIR comes from the ORANGEVILL area

Note marking on the large round metal case located on the backside of the back

“PATENT 298-6

C.E. NTRIFUGAL”

Note marking on the instrument case (META) on the back of the headrest

“PATENT MAGAZINE

20305”

The FIRST.... and maybe ONLY

DRUXY’S ENDOWED CHAIR

AWARDED TO

Dr. EDWARD GFEORGE SONLEY

DIRECTOR EMERITUS

THE PROBLEM SOLVING MORNING COFFEE CLUB

OCTOBER 25, 1997

[page 12]

THE ALLISON CHAIR

The hansom [sic] ALLISON PORTABLE CHAIR, circa 1880 is made of wood decorated with large identifying copper buttons mounted on an ornate cast metal base that rests on brass and porcelain casters.

The black leather headrest, wooden footrest and tilting movement could be adjusted easily to suit the needs of the individual patient

Subject of framed poster series 1993-94

Marked “The Allison”

pat Appl’d

See illustration, 1993-94 Calendar cover.

[page 13]

THE W. Y. HAYDENT, 19T02 R. W. ARCHER CHAIR

Marked “patented Sept 4, 1860”

(new roughly $125.00)

The ARCHER was bought second hand for $15.00 by

Dr. W. Y. HAYDEN by his preceptor

Dr. J. M. TURNBULL of GODERICH, L. D. S 1893, D. D. S. 1898

from HUBBARD’S DENTAL DEPOT

“On graduation I bought out Dr. Turnbull’s practice and the old chair came into my possession”

The Archer was was [sic] donated by Dr. W. Y. Hayden, London, Ont. Dec 1930, on the suggestion of Dean A. D. A. Mason (4th Dean) that it might find a permanent home in the College.

It was one of the most popular chairs of the 1860’s

The Archer could be tipped backwards at various angles, and the seat raised and lowered as well as the headrest

[page 14]

The back unfortunately remained in a forced position, which must have added to the patients discomfort. Note the crude and unsanitary nature of the cuspidor with its elaborate marble ring.

Note also the carpet covered footrest and the wooden handcrafted tray.

A “crank chair”

[page 15]

EARLY ARCHER CHAIR

Donated by Miss Elaine Patterson of Paris, Ont.

The Archer chair was owned by her grandfather L. D. S. 1869

He began practice in 1859

[page 16]

THE DR YEMEN ARCHER CHAIR

Dr. Yemen received his dental education in Scotland and received his L. D. S in 1869 in the RCDSO 1869 ruling. He was an itinerant dentist as early as 1860[.] While in Stratford he was convicted of performing midnight surgery (abortion)

He was convicted and sent to prison Nov. 11, 1897 (see RCDSO Proc.) He served 2 years of a 3 year sentence and was reinstated later to practice

[page 17]

WEBER PUMP CHAIR “BARBER TYPE STYLE”

circa 1915-20

The WEBER was donated by Mrs. Ira Kaplan Oct. 1991

The white CLARKE CHAIR, circa 1909

The Clark chair was made in Toronto, Ont. By T. N. Clarke Dental Manufacturing Co., 16 Sheppard St., 1909. The T. N. Clarke Chair Co., 22 Orillia St., Toronto

This was a new Columbia chair “saving duty for the purchaser” ie Canadian Columbia chairs, circa 1909 at $155. or -- $185.00

Standard black finishes and gold transfers and PLUSH upholstery.

Forty of these chairs selected for the new R. C. D. S. Toronto at $155.00

[page 18]

2 GOULD DENTAL CHAIRS

Of historical value significance were presented to the museum from the estate of Dr. E S Barker of Stouffville through the courtesy of Mr. Ray McTavish of the National Refining Co. p. 98 RCDSO 1960-61

Dr Barker’s large stately Black leather dental chair c 1860, DMS-764-134, mark -- “patented GOULD”
Improved GOULD CHAIR patented Oct 3, 1899

*Important components for a period office display – The E. Stanley Barker Office

CANADIAN PERIOD OFFICE

[page 19]

ASH DENTAL CHAIR

The ASH dental chair from 230 College Street R. C. D. S.

The ASH chairs served from 1909-1958 when the Faculty moved to 124 Edward St.

Donated by Dr. Sheldon Weingarten

The STATELY GOULD CHAIR, circa 1860

[the next three paragraphs are scribbled through very lightly:

The Gould chair was the property of Dr. Earle Stanley Barker of Stouffville

*The Gould belongs with the Barker Collections of artefacts (office)

Two dental chairs of historical significance were presented to the museum from the estate of Dr. Earle Stanley Barker of Stouffville through the courtesy of Ray McTavish of the National Refining Co. (RCDSO Proc. 1960-61 p. 98)

end of scribbled through paragraphs]

Black upholstery, black leather.

Marked “patented GOULD”

[page 20]

Early ARCHER CHAIR c. 1859.

Donated by Miss Elaine Paterson of Paris, Ont.

Miss Paterson donated her grandfather’s LDS certificate dated 1869 and an early foot engine with the Archer chair in good condition.

Dr Paterson began practice in 1859.

[page 21]

THE UNIQUE GARRETSON X-RAY CHAIR.

The Garretson has a glass head on the back of a wood and black leather straight frame chair similar in appearance to the execution type chair.

Marked DMS 764113 & polished & cleaned in 1993 -- A. Dale

See Dr. Kell’s file

Dr. Alfred D. Southwick, honorary M.D.S., honorary D.D.S.

died in 1908

A very talented and innovative Alfred P. Southwaite, a former Great Lakes Steamboat engineer, noted dentist and dental educator helped develop electrical execution as a means of more humane capital punishment. Dent Items of Interest, 20: 562 1898

His goal was to humanize capital punishment through legal use of electrical execution. The world’s first electrical execution went into effect Jan 1, 2889, the year the first D.D.S. degrees were granted in Ontario.

[page 22]

Other methods were more grisly – Dr. Alfred P. Southwaite originated and developed a more humane method of capital punishment

Dr. Southwick in 1892 became one of the key founders of the Dental Department at the University of Buffalo.

He was a highly talented and respected family member, an excellent teacher and leader. He and our Dr. Ernest Cummer rubbed shoulders with respect to their innovative talents at the University of Buffalo

Portable RED MAHOGANY wooden desktype dental chair with metal adjustments across the back for reclining the chair.

With leather upholstered seat

[page 23]

HANDHEWN GOLDEN OAK DENTAL OPERATING STOOL

On casters with circular foot rest

Donated by Dr. Gordon Starkman, June 7, 2010

RED VELVET upholstered WAITING ROOM CHAIR, c. 1890s.

Donated from the Boston Dental Clinic, Barrington St., Halifax, N. S. operated by Dr. JOSEPH MAHER & Dr. C. BURGESS (Miss McManus’s brothers-in-law)

Dr. McManus 1878-1964

College of Dentistry, Philadelphia.

Polk’s Dental Register, 1900, retired 1955

Donated by Miss K. J. McManus

[page 24]

LARGER RED VELVET UPHOLSTERED WAITING ROOM CHAIR, c. 1890

R.C.D.S.O. BOARDROOM CHAIR

Which was discarded when the CDA building was furnished in 1935

Donated to the museum Jan 6, 1956

Wooden carved ornate pattern with black leather upholstery.

2 RCDSO BOARDROOM CHAIRS

Complete with RCDS embroidered back squares (orange plush velvet)

Donated Feb. 7, 1996 by Dr. Roger Ellis, Pres. RCDSO, 1996

[end of first file]

[beginning of second file, page 1]

EARLY PORTABLE WOODEN OAK CHAIR c. 1860s?

From the Guelph area with no history except found in a loft of a barn in the Guelph, and refinished (5-10 layers of paint removed)

Wooden frame with 4 radiating base legs

With metal rods from wooden arm rests across the back to central patient inclination (wooden armrest attached to metal base.)

One piece black leather headrest

Donated by Dr Joseph R. Devine, 5T9

Orillia, Dec 9, 1997

1997 evaluation $500.00

[page 2]

PORTABLE WHITE METAL TUBULAR DENTAL EXAMINATION CHAIR

With black leather back and seat

Donated by John Miller, May 2009

PORTABLE WHITE DENTA[L] CHAIR

Marked EMIL J. PAIDAR Co.

1214-1218 N. WELLS ST. CHICAGO, U.S.A

Donated by Mrs B. Lankin, Aug 1996

HEADREST COLLECTION

3 DENTAL RELIC CHAIRS to be RESTORED or CANABOLIZED [sic]

[page 3]

Dental Chairs were upholstered in leather up to 1902.

Later, chairs when new were to be upholstered in plush or some other fabric.

The reason being that leather upholstery would prove unsatisfactory in that appearances are frequently deceptive. Hides vary in texture in different parts of the same skin which lead to variations in the way they take the die [sic]. This leads to variations in color and these differences may show up over time. Also, the color often began to come off to damage the clothes of the patient or operator

After 1912, leather upholstery was supplied only by order and the upholsterer would not back a guarantee.

[page 4]

Separate page [written in top left corner]

PIANOWIRE found large use in ligaturing of teeth in [regulating] operations and was a necessity in the COFFIN SPLIT PLATE. Nothing else afforded the toughness and elasticity which was essential

[page 5]

THE CHINESE DENTAL CHAIR

c. 1930 Beautiful condition

An exquisite period Chinese dental chair acquired specifically to accompany the historically valuable Ashley Woodward Lindsay Collection and exhibitions

The seat is wooden with a reversible bamboo side for the summer months.

SHANGHAI is written on the headrest in Chinese

Lindsay was Canada’s first foreign dental missionary. The Chengtu story began in 1907 with Lindsay’s involvement in the very popular student volunteer N. A. T. YMCA’s “Scientific Missionary” movement at Chengtu. His stellar legacy – a magnificent dental hospital and the development of a native system of dental education specific for the Chinese problems and for his grand humanitarian effort an L. L. D. honoris causa, conferred by his Alma Mater, the Uni. Of Toronto, some 30 years after his mentor, Dean J. B. Willmott was conferred to L. L. D. honoris causa for the development of the system of dental education in Ontario.

Donated & finished by Dr. A Dale Mar. 2018

[page 6]

THE WEBER PUMP CHAIR

Donated by Mrs Ira Kaplan Oct 8, 1919

Model AT200, U. S. A.

“WHITE LINE” DENTAL TREATMENT CHAIR, B350

LEE S. SMITH & SON Co. p. 70

Donated by Dr. Roger Ellis, Pres RCDSO

Finished in white enamel w/ nickle [sic] plated trimming

WOODEN DENTAL STOOL ON CASTORS

Hand-hewn Golden oak with circular foot rest

Donated by Dr. Gordon Starkman June 7, 2016

[page 7]

THE CLARKE New Columbia Chair

Made in Toronto 16 Sheppard ST. 1895 by the Clarke Dental Manufacturing Co. Toronto

“Saving duty for the purchaser”

The WHTIE CLARKE CHAIR made in Toronto – 1897 with “CLARK” fountain spittoon

[page 8]

COLUMBIA CHAIR TN CLARKE CHAIR Co

Donated by Mrs. Christine Wickson

200 Delaware ST

Stratford, Ont

Black leather black metal chair with green circular base in good condition c 1915-1920

Dr. Carrique’s wife donated chair (& cabinet?)

Certificate 1886

RCDSO 1955/56

Columbia Chair from office of Dr. A. P. Rutherford LDS, DDS 19T03

Hawksburg 9/25/62

Leather

SSW NATIONAL

Dark maroon leather finish

Ornate gold markings

Flower design

Headrest missing

Not finished Mar 2008

[page 9]

The CRANK CHAIR c. 1876

DM N5 76-4-707E (with crank before storage)

Donated by daughter Dr Aileen Kelly, 1979

#3 Mckenzie Drive, South Rosedale, Toronto.

An historically important chair because of its vintage but also because it belonged to Dr Andrew McDonagh who established the first Chair for teaching periodontology in a dental school in the world with McDonagh as professor. McDonagh was also a founding member of the American Academy of Periodontology.

Black leather upholstered chair with rolled wood armrests

Crank in rear to raise seat

[page 10]

AMERICAN PATTERN PORTABLE CHAIR

(Ash’s make)

Box dimensions

39” x 13” x 7 ½"

Total weight of box with chair 95 lbs

Located in the museum

1 Canadian unit

1 German unit – The white box

Portable white metal tubular dental treatment chair

Black leather seat and back and head rest

White armrests

Donated by Mr. John Miller, May 2009

SSW Portable folding army chair

Ash p C13

c 1923-24

[page 11]

WHITE PORTABLE METAL ARMCHAIR

(ice cream style)

marked

EMIL S. PAIDAR Co

1214-1218 NO WELLS ST

Chicago, U.S.A

Donated by Mrs B. Lankin, Aug 28 1969

PORTABLE FOLDING ARMY DENTAL CHAIR

Donated by Dr. Judy Shykoff, Mar 1998

Army green color.

2 oak office desk chairs

Donated by Dr. Norman Levine

Located in the Museum

[page 12]

The W. Y. HAYDEN R. W. ARCHER DENTAL CHAIR

Marked “patented Sept. 4, 1860”

Sold new for $125.00 roughly

Hayden’s preceptor Dr J. M. Turnbull of Goderich bought the chair for $15.00 from Hubbard’s Dental Depot for Hayden to use in his office.

On graduating in 1902 he bought out Dr Turnbull’s practice and the old chair came into Hayden’s possession

Dec 3, 1930 Dr Hayden on Dean Arnold Mason’s suggestion donated the Archer to the College, that it might find a permanent home.”

The Archer was the most popular chair of the 1860s

The chair could be tipped backwards at various angles and the seat raised and lowered as well as the headrest.

The back unfortunately remained in a fixed position, which must have added to the patient’s discomfort. Note the crude unsanitary nature of the cuspidor with its elaborate marble ring. Note also the carpet covered footrest and the wooden hand crafted instrument tray – a very rare valuable historical artifact.

[page 13]

THE ROSS PORTABLE CHAIR

(A history of the House of White p. 58)

Introduced for use of traveling dentists, of whom there were many in foreign lands in 1882 & weight 70 lbs

Donated to museum by SCI/CAN Canada

Folded and located in museum office on top of file cabinets

Frame – black walnut, oil finish

Patented July 15, 1881, Aug 24, 1886. Dent Cos. 1891

[page 14]

Antique Chinese Dental Chair

Wooden and Bamboo construction in fine polished condition – a handsome chair. The seat is reversible, a bamboo surface for the summer.

Marked SHANGHAI in Chinese on back of the headrest.

Chair belongs with the Ashley Lindsay collection – U of T Dentistry’s, “The China Story” which originated with the grand YMCA world movement. Lindsay graduated under J. B. Willmott’s influential tenure, with global impact leaving a grand legacy to U of T dentistry.

Photograph of the handsome chair in Chinese Chair file. Moved from basement storage to dead storage 2019

Donated by Dr. Anne Dale, Feb. 28, 2008 By Sheer luck, found at Antique 89 Hyw. Road Show estate sale.

[page 15]

McLAREN DENTAL CHAIR

Marked “H. McLaren Toronto patent”

The early pump type so called hydraulic (not truly hydraulic) dental chair was mostly designed for stand up dentistry. There were two types sold extensively, the S. S. White and the Wilkerson chairs[.] The McLaren was manufactured in Toronto about 1880 at the corner of Bay and Adelaide streets.

The chairs were used in the Louisa and 93 College street schools.

This McLaren was presented to Dean J. B. Willmott on behalf of the S. S. White Manufacturing Co. Of Philadelphia Pa. with their compliments and best wishes on the opening of the new RCDS building in 1896

Dr. Willmott allocated the McLaren to Dr. McDonagh’s use at the R. C. D. S. and Dean Willmott finally donated the McLaren to the dental museum.

[page 16]

The hansome and maroon plush and mahogany frame is highly decorated in gold trim, bright nickle [sic] plating and with BUCOLIC scenes in the footrest area and on the back of the chair.

There is not a crank in the chair[.] Turntable cranks are replaced with LEVERS to reposition the patient conveniently. Aside from adjusting the headrest, every motion of the chair may be controlled by the foot or knee of the operator.

Armrests can be conveniently removed and according to one advertisement:

“THE ADJUSTABLE WATKINS HEADREST SUITS ANY STYLE THE LADY PATIENT’S HAIR IS PUT UP IN”

Dentists were obliged to know their dental machinery. These chairs were easy to take apart to address THIRSTY JOINTS. HOWEVER there was a CAUTION
- NEVER – lift the chair ONLY BY THE LEGS – NEVER by BODY OR ARMS