Q: My mother bought this unusual "chair" from a friend in the 1960s. Her friend received it as a wedding present in the late 1920s. I think it's mahogany and it's been reupholstered several times. It has small wooden rollers (wheels) on the bottoms of the legs. The metal part of the roller mechanism is stamped with the patent date, "Feb. 13, 1894." The chair is in good condition, but it just doesn't seem to have a purpose that I can think of. It's not a chair and not a stool. Can you give me any insight on the background of this piece and possible value?

A: Your small bench with two arms and no back is a window seat. It was made to be placed in front of a window and, because it doesn't have a back, it would not block the view. A person can sit on the bench and face in either direction. The 1894 patent was granted to George J. Bowley of Indianapolis for a caster with a spherical roller that could move in any direction. The patent was assigned to Herbert B. Brown, Frederick G. Withoft and Harry Swope of Dayton, who may have made the furniture. Value, $300 to $400.