Rocking Chair
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Richard Oliver Bushnell
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1820-1850
MediumWood, black, red and gold paint
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 44 x 19 7/8 x 23 15/16in. (111.8 x 50.5 x 60.8cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Anne Brown
Object number1989.104.0
DescriptionPainted rocking armchair in the Windsor style, with an extension top, a slat-back, turned posts, arms, legs, and stretchers, and a plank seat. The extension top, at the top of the back, consists of a horizontal crest rail over four slender spindles that are joined at the bottom to a wide slat, or rail. The slat is at the top between two three-part bamboo turned posts; below the rail are five slender spindles. Each arm consists of a three-part bamboo-turning with a disc-shaped handhold at the end; the arm is supported by a three-part bamboo-turned arm support. The plank seat is square with rounded corners; the top surface is saucered, or recessed slightly. Below the seat are four four-part bamboo-turned legs that are raked, or slanted out from top to bottom. Each side of the armchair has a single stretcher connecting the lower legs; the front stretcher is three-part bamboo-turned. The chair has two rockers, one at each side, that are joined to the bottom of the legs.
Painted Decoration: The rocking chair has an overall red and black painted surface that is grained to imitate rosewood. Each recessed turning between the bamboo forms is painted with a gold band. There are hand-painted gold abstract leaf designs painted on the crest rail and slat, at the top of the post, and on the front stretcher. A vertical gold line is painted on the front of each spindle below the slat. A horizontal line of gold extends across the front of the plank seat.
Condition: The painted decoration is worn or flaking on the spindles, arms, arm supports, front edges of the seat, lower legs, and front of each rocker.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the four spindles which are then tenoned into the slat below. The slat is tenoned into each post, and is supported on a tenon at the top of the five spindles below. The back of each arm is tenoned into the post; the front is supported on a tenon at the top of the arm support. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The posts and arm supports are tenoned down through the plank seat. The seat is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the four legs. The stretchers are tenoned into the legs. The rockers fit into a rabbet at the lower outer side of each leg; each rocker is pinned to the legs.
Painted Decoration: The rocking chair has an overall red and black painted surface that is grained to imitate rosewood. Each recessed turning between the bamboo forms is painted with a gold band. There are hand-painted gold abstract leaf designs painted on the crest rail and slat, at the top of the post, and on the front stretcher. A vertical gold line is painted on the front of each spindle below the slat. A horizontal line of gold extends across the front of the plank seat.
Condition: The painted decoration is worn or flaking on the spindles, arms, arm supports, front edges of the seat, lower legs, and front of each rocker.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the four spindles which are then tenoned into the slat below. The slat is tenoned into each post, and is supported on a tenon at the top of the five spindles below. The back of each arm is tenoned into the post; the front is supported on a tenon at the top of the arm support. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The posts and arm supports are tenoned down through the plank seat. The seat is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the four legs. The stretchers are tenoned into the legs. The rockers fit into a rabbet at the lower outer side of each leg; each rocker is pinned to the legs.
Status
Not on view
