Delivery chair

Made in 1837 from fruit wood and decorated with a vase of flowers, or Maikrug, a symbol of fertility, this delivery chair is a very delicate object. It may have been used for purposes of prestige or demonstration. Owned by the midwife Anna Willig, born in 1806 and working in Hurtigheim, this chair has removable armrests and a folding backrest. It was placed in a leather bag and the midwife transported it to the house where the delivery was to take place.
The woman gave birth seated on a chair of this type. The midwife encouraged her and guided the delivery of the child from a position facing her. The Alsatian word for midwife, "Hewàmm", corresponds to this birthing position. Hewwe means "carry" or "lift", Àmm was originally "mum". The midwife is therefore the "mother" who first raises the infant in her hands.
Most of the other known models of delivery chairs are without decoration and much more robust. There may even be straps for attaching the feet.
This chair was kept in the family of Anna Willig until 1947 and then entrusted to relatives, who donated it to the Alsatian Museum in 1969.