This is a historic appraisal from our archive.
I bought this rocking chair over twenty year's ago at a yard sale.
The seat cover that I removed was of red and gold tapestry (it looked to be from the Victorian era). I wish I had left it alone. Underneath the tapestry and thick muslin cloth? and burlap? was what appeared to be ball's of cotton, straw and horse hair.
I have no idea where this chair was made or when. I'd love to know what kind of wood this is, what style, what year it might have been made and where. I was trying to decide if I should recover it or just throw it away. I can't see a trace of glue and the chair is very sturdy with no split's in the wood. I'd appreciate any information. Thanks
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Collector Discussion
Do you recognize this piece? Collectors often identify maker marks, share comparable sales, or suggest additional research steps.
Your rocker is loosely based on the Mission style poplar from the turn of the 19th Century until World War One. Unlike the Mission pieces made earlier your piece is a mass produced item made up until the 1920's. At auction these sell for about what you paid for yours, and up to about $40.00. The wood is most likely birch or maple.