: Features Ernest Koken’s patented single-lever design. Moving it left, right, forward, or backward raises, lowers, and reclines the chair simultaneously.
Founded in St. Louis, Missouri, by German immigrant Ernest Koken, the Koken Company revolutionized the grooming industry by inventing the first hydraulic-operated barber chair. Today, these chairs are highly sought-after "functional art" pieces that command anywhere from $800 to over $10,000 among collectors and high-end shops.
Professional-grade restorations can range from $2,000 to over $12,000 depending on the model's rarity.
Because serial lists are inexact, look for these physical clues mentioned in guides from LoveToKnow and JustAnswer :
Because original company records were lost after Koken ceased production in the 1950s, dating a chair requires combining physical design features with approximate serial number ranges. Use this comprehensive guide to locate your serial number, check the historical chronological list, and determine your vintage Koken chair's production window. 🔍 Where to Find Your Koken Serial Number vintage koken barber chair serial number list
Do you have a or a photo of the footrest ? This can help narrow down the exact model series, such as the famous Congress or Professional lines. Determine Koken Chair Age by Serial Number - Expert Guide
To understand the serial numbers, you first need to understand the company. The Koken brand was founded by Ernest Koken, a German immigrant who started his business life in St. Louis, Missouri, by producing hand-painted shaving mugs in the 1870s. Koken reportedly began manufacturing barbers’ chairs in the 1880s, and his chairs were the first to come with attached footrests and headrests.
If you are looking to restore a piece, using the serial number to guide your research is crucial.
Original Koken porcelain bases are incredibly heavy and have a distinct, glass-like sheen. Painted or powder-coated bases indicate a later restoration, which may have covered original stamped numbers. : Features Ernest Koken’s patented single-lever design
Since a master list doesn't exist digitally, here is where you actually go to verify your chair:
These sequences appear on mid-century modern models that might mark the transition toward the Takara Belmont era.
Based on historical patents and survivor chairs, here is a general timeline for dating your chair by its serial number: Determine Koken Chair Age by Serial Number - Expert Guide
Some later models have a small metal plate attached to the back of the chair or the hydraulic cover. Important: Many chairs have casting numbers Louis, Missouri, by German immigrant Ernest Koken, the
: On many early-to-mid-20th-century models, a serial or casting number is stamped directly on top of the inner metal reservoir cap.
Post-war production; more functional, less ornate chrome and leather. c. 1956 – 1960s
If you'd like more specific info on your chair, please let me know: What or casting codes did you find?