Child's Rocking Chair
Furniture MakerMade by
E. W. Vaill
(American)
Date1876-1885
MediumMaple, brown and gold paint, iron hardware and tacks, wool carpet
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 25 13/16 x 15 1/2 x 20in. (65.6 x 39.4 x 50.8cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Edith F. Ebbets
Object number1950.252.6
DescriptionPainted child's rocking chair in the Renaissance revival style, with an upholstered back and seat. The back of the chair is formed by an arched crest rail at the top between two stiles, each with a ball-shaped finial on top. Above the crest rail is a carved ornament consisting of two curved lines that meet in the center, each with a ball at the top of the outer side. Below the rail is additional ornament carved with alternating "O"s and diamonds, over an arched rail that extends between the two stiles. Below the rail is an upholstered panel that extends down to a horizontal stay rail. Six turned balls are located at the underside of the stay rail. Above the seat, each stile is slanted back. Below the seat, each stile is slanted back to form the back leg. Each arm is joined to the stile above the seat, extends down while curving forward slightly at the height of the seat, and forms the front legs below the seat. The upholstered seat is joined at the back to a rail that extends between the stiles, and at the front to a rail. The front seat rail is supported at each side by a curved seat support that curves down and extends back to join the lower legs. Each side of the chair has a rocker joining the bottom of the legs. The armchair has three turned stretchers, one each between the lower front legs, the rockers, and the back legs. The chair
Upholsery. The upholstered back of the chair consists of a panel of wool carpet that is tacked at the bottom to the stay rail; the bottom of the back has a band of brown and white tape. The upholstered seat consists of a single panel of wool carpet that is tacked to the front and back seat rails; a row of brown and white tape over brown wool fringe decorates the front of the seat.
Painted Decoration. The chair frame is painted overall with dark brown stripes. Gilded lines are incised into the crest rail and the rail below. Additional gilded lines decorate the carved ornament above and below the crest rail.
Condition: The carpet and tape are worn at the bottom of the back and the front of the seat. The brown fabric joined to the back of the chair back has a few short vertical and horizontal tears. The tape on the back of the chair is separated from the top of the upholstered panel.
Design and Construction Details: The ornament at the top of the chair is nailed down onto the crest rail. The back of the rocking chair is constructed of the crest rail over three rails that are tenoned into the upper stiles. The carved ornament between the crest rail and the rail below is carved out of the solid block of wood that formed the top two rails. The third rail is hidden behind the upholstered back of the chair. The balls on the underside of the stay rail are nailed in place. Brown fabric is nailed to the back of the chair; the edge is outlined with brown and white tape. The arms are joined with metal hardware to the stiles and front of each rocker. The back seat rail is tenoned into the stiles. The front seat rail is tenoned into the seat supports; these are in turned joined with an iron bracket to the lower legs. An additional iron bracket joins each arm to the corresponding seat support. An L-shaped iron bracket joins the back feet to the rockers. The stretchers are tenoned into the legs and rockers.
Upholsery. The upholstered back of the chair consists of a panel of wool carpet that is tacked at the bottom to the stay rail; the bottom of the back has a band of brown and white tape. The upholstered seat consists of a single panel of wool carpet that is tacked to the front and back seat rails; a row of brown and white tape over brown wool fringe decorates the front of the seat.
Painted Decoration. The chair frame is painted overall with dark brown stripes. Gilded lines are incised into the crest rail and the rail below. Additional gilded lines decorate the carved ornament above and below the crest rail.
Condition: The carpet and tape are worn at the bottom of the back and the front of the seat. The brown fabric joined to the back of the chair back has a few short vertical and horizontal tears. The tape on the back of the chair is separated from the top of the upholstered panel.
Design and Construction Details: The ornament at the top of the chair is nailed down onto the crest rail. The back of the rocking chair is constructed of the crest rail over three rails that are tenoned into the upper stiles. The carved ornament between the crest rail and the rail below is carved out of the solid block of wood that formed the top two rails. The third rail is hidden behind the upholstered back of the chair. The balls on the underside of the stay rail are nailed in place. Brown fabric is nailed to the back of the chair; the edge is outlined with brown and white tape. The arms are joined with metal hardware to the stiles and front of each rocker. The back seat rail is tenoned into the stiles. The front seat rail is tenoned into the seat supports; these are in turned joined with an iron bracket to the lower legs. An additional iron bracket joins each arm to the corresponding seat support. An L-shaped iron bracket joins the back feet to the rockers. The stretchers are tenoned into the legs and rockers.
Status
Not on view
