Regency Child's Correction Chair 1820s Beech Bamboo Effect Original Condition

This little child's correction chair was probably made in the 1820s, from a design by Dr Astley Cooper (1768-1841).  A surgeon and anatomist, it was invented to correct faulty posture, the very shallow width of the seat forcing the occupant to sit with a rigidly straight back. It soon became known as a punishment chair for 'time out', but was considered a benefit to naughty children by improving their deportment, good posture being a bit of a national preoccupation at the time.  Made from solid beech wood, shaped and turned to look like bamboo.  The seat is caned, and is still intact.  There are some obvious ancient repairs, notably on the base of the seat which has been strengthened with two metal plates.  The right hand side of the seat has a large piece of very old white filler (see picture).  The stretchers are all intact and the chair is pretty solid, although there is a very slight wobble, so I think these would need strengthening.  The chair would have originally had a bamboo paint finish, traces of which remain.  Extracted from a barn in the south of England very recently, the chair is weathered, but original.  We love it exactly as it is, but it would also benefit from full restoration if that's preferred.