What's this chair?

Oh very nice.
European probably.

Maybe a gentleman's butler chair. Mid to late 1800s.

@James Conrad @Ghopper1924 @verybrad

 

I'm thinking late 1800s, aesthetic influence, perhaps some kind of ecclesiastical function. That top rail....some kind of devotional function?

 

It looks rather like a prayer chair.

 

I thought that at first but from the pic it looks like you'd have to be very tall to use it as a prayer chair, giant even.

I'd date this to c. 1910 and find it very attractive, if somewhat impractical other than as a hall chair.
It's so "over the top" in a decorative sense that it could even be a showpiece by an apprentice celebrating journeyman status.

 

What would be the context of the "swastika" on the seat?

 

It almost looks like it's replicating the architectural elements of a room, window, cornice, the seat could even replicate a floor. I wonder if it was made for a specific location.

Not being a furniture person I googled looking at prayer chairs/prie dieu and butler/valet chairs etc. Some seem to be normal height. The closest I found design-wise so far is this pair described as Italian. You'll see they aren't too close.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/8168266_47-a-pair-of-carved-walnut-chairs-european-rectangul

 

I think a showy hall chair and agree with a late 19-early 20th century date.