A real puzzle Samuel Osborn Steels in Sheffield

[Treetotal]

I think there might be something else being presented too, on the table behind one of the men but you would need to ask the guy on the right to move over 
Have you thought of looking at newspapers for the year 1854?
Carol

[bugbear]

The chair doesn't look made for comfort, but is clearly considered very important, given the body language.

I wonder if it's not so much "a chair", as "a seat" (as in "a seat on the board").

Has he been elected to some club, committee or board?

 BugBear

[brianz]

It could have been a seat on the board, but I have never heard it mentioned in the family, it is worth asking some of them though.

Thanks for the suggestion

[DavidG02]

It looks to be a Dining Room chair.

My Grandmother had chairs similar to these in her dining room which were used once a week ( Sunday Dinners ) or for important days - Birthdays etc. They were uncomfortable but only just. I think they were made that way to impart formality. ( or maybe we have gotten too lazy and slouch too much)

[bugbear]

It looks to be a Dining Room chair.

My Grandmother had chairs similar to these in her dining room which were used once a week ( Sunday Dinners ) or for important days - Birthdays etc. They were uncomfortable but only just. I think they were made that way to impart formality. ( or maybe we have gotten too lazy and slouch too much)

I'm not sure it's a (single) dining room chair - surely they come in sets of at least four?

 BugBar

[DavidG02]

I'm not sure it's a (single) dining room chair - surely they come in sets of at least four?

 BugBar

Agreed. But , and once again relying on memory. My grandfathers chair was similar and was bigger than the others . Though they were of a similar style , just smaller.

This is what I recall.. note the arms on the ''head '' chair.

[groom]

Could it be the other way round - ie not Bernard Lee Collins  receiving the chair, but him presenting it? Rather a strange thing to give someone on retirement, one large chair.

[J.J.]

It looks to be symbolizing the passing on of company chairmanship, ( I'd thought the fellow on the right to the one on the left. )  However I suppose it could also symbolize the passing of a job to another person...even though both are older men...The job likely one that  not many may be qualified to simply jump into the role.

[venelow]

Have you contacted the place that holds their archives?

Or is that where you obtained the photo?

Title: Records of Samuel Osborn and Company Ltd, Rutland Works, Holbrook Steel Works, Clyde Steel Works, Sheffield, files and steel manufacturer.
Reference:    MNSO
Date:    1900-1960
Held by:    Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust
Language: English
Extent:    131 items
Subjects:    Metal industry
Creator Names:    Samuel Osborn and Company Ltd of Sheffield

Venelow