Modified (?) antique piano stool, metal claw and glass ball feet

At the local thrift for cheap. Probably will be for a local resale, its got everything that seems to be popular in my town these days. Multiple layers of shabby paint, a little bit of a Gothic look with those metal and glass claw feet, etc.

I was thinking "piano stool" but it is fixed tight. Probably has more resale value as a side table or plant stand, so this might be a good thing. It sits perfectly flat so could work for something like that.

Just curious if I'm correct that this is a modified piano stool. We took it apart. (See last two photos, last photo shows underside of seat.)

 

Piano stool. Seat cracks if screwed too tightly.

Debora

 

May be why someone screwed it tight to the top seat, which luckily isn't cracked. Bet that's it. Thanks!

Any keywords for this, age, etc?

 

Mid to late 19th. Ebonised finish. I'd use steampunk as a KW, too. Don't fiddle with it, it's rather cool.

 

Thanks, Bear.

Steampunk, that's the word I need. Appreciate the help w/dating it, too.

Don't worry, I'm not touching it. No sprucing up the paint, etc.

 

Most welcome - I've friends who would love that.

 

Give it a good wipe with a damp rag and otherwise leave bad enough alone.

 

Hi,
Just a quick note. Wonder how they get the glass ball into the claw??? They claw is heated and expands, put the glass ball in and quickly chill the claw.
greg

 

Sounds right. That's how my dad did things, and he was working on repairing mechanical equipment made at about the same time as the stool.