3 Legged Chair - Birthing Chair Even w/No Handles?

I found this today at a thrift store. Googling 3 legged rustic chair I came across 2 similar ones that were called Birthing Chairs - except theirs had handles on each side.
Is this a birthing chair? If not what is it called?
Does it have any age to it?
Thank you!

 

Birthing? uhhhhhhhhhhhhh noooooooooooooooooo.
These chairs are NOTORIOUSLY unstable, shift your weight to the left or right and you'll find yourself on the floor.
Traditionally called a 3 leg "Turner's" chair as they were made entirely by turners on a pole lathe in the 17th century.

 

English, Oak & Ash, early 17th century Turner's Chair

 

Google 3 legged birthing chair - I'm not crazy! lol

 

I have a tough time believing that any self-respecting woman would agree to give birth on that chair.

You probably found a bunch of listings ID'd that way, but that doesn't make it valid.

 

Agreed, there is more false info on the internet than correct info, that's for sure!

 

not older than the 70's....and made by a guy in a shed.........

 

Looks like a place for the gentleman of the house to sit to take off or put on his shoes.

 

OK - does turner's chair still apply for this newer chair? (I just want to know correct name to sell it; I got it for $5.99 so I think I can make something!)
Thanks all

 

You could also call it a corner chair. It seems that Turner's chairs were specific to the 17th century? Or that's what I gathered from reading @James Conrad 's post.

 

16th century as well but yes, a very old form and we do not know exactly what the deal is with those "turner" chairs. Why make such an unstable chair?
There are several theories, Turner's conceit? (show off his skill) to save material/money? and others as well, we just do not know for sure.

 

Yes, it would be closer to what it really is.
Notice the trefoil cut into chair back, a traditional Christian symbol during the Gothic period.

 

That's probably pretty close to what happened, a hobby woodworker's version of a turner chair, decorated with a Gothic trefoil.