The victim, naked, was stretched out supine on the ground or on the execution dock, with his or her limbs spread, and tied to stakes or iron rings. Stout wooden crosspieces were placed under the wrists, elbows, ankles, knees and hips. The executioner then smashed limb after limb and joint after joint, including the shoulders and hips, with the iron-tyred edge of the wheel, but avoiding fatal blows.
The purpose of this device is fairly obvious. The victim is made to site on the chair with the straps tightening to drive the spikes into his or her flesh. Weights could also be used as well as blows with mallets to further the damage. While quite painful, the chair itself was not always immediately fatal. However, infection and tetanus claimed many victims days or weeks after their ordeal.