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THIS OBJECT IS PART OF THE PROJECT 'A HISTORY OF CORNWALL IN 100 OBJECTS'.

LISKEARD AND DISTRICT MUSEUM. This photographer's chair was not designed to be sat on, it was literally a prop for sitters to rest their hand on while being photographed. It has four interchangeable backs including one with a spaniel's head and was used by photographers' studios - Michell and Son of St Austell in 1870. The chair continued to be used until 1951 by John H. Coath. It is now part of John Rapson's photographic collection which includes studio cameras, Coath's sign board and an intriguing miniature camera.

Photography started early in Cornwall. Fox Talbot, the pioneer photographer, had a half sister at Mount Edgcumbe and visited Carclew near Mylor with his camera in the 1840s. Robert Hunt, folklorist, was also a keen photographer. Photographs became important as a way of staying in touch as more and more people emigrated from Cornwall.

Photo: Bernie Pettersen