Rocking Chair
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1800-1815
MediumPine, maple, ash
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 41 1/8 x 21 1/16 x 29 11/16in. (104.5 x 53.5 x 75.4cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineBequest of Martha R. Lambert
Object number1979.68.903
DescriptionRocking armchair in the Windsor style, with an extension top, a square-back, bamboo-turned posts, legs, and stretchers, and a plank seat. The back of the chair is formed by a crest rail atop five tall spindles; the crest rail is serpentine, with a shaped upper edge consisting of an arch in the center flanked by a small scrolled ear. Below the extension top is a square back, which consists of two horizontal rails, or bows, between two four-part bamboo-turned posts. Seven spindles extend from the top bow down to the seat, flanked by a spindle that extends from the bottom bow down to the seat. The spindles are swelled, or turned with a small bulge near the bottom then tapered up toward the top. Each arm is bowed down slightly and has a handhold that is curved down at the front. The top edges of each arm are decorated with incised bead molding. Each arm is supported by two swelled spindles and one three-part bamboo-turned arm support just behind the handhold. The plank seat is square with rounded corners; the top surface is saucered, or recessed slightly. Below the seat are four three-part bamboo-turned legs that are raked, or slanted out from top to bottom. Each side of the armchair has a single two-part bamboo-turned stretcher joining the lower legs. A medial stretcher with three-part bamboo turnings extends between the two side stretchers. The chair has two rockers, one at each side, that are joined to the bottom of the legs. The rockers are closer in the back and tilted out toward the front.
Condition: Two small areas of white paint are adhered to the front of the crest rail. The solid plank seat has split and been repaired with glue and two butterfly dovetails on the underside of the seat, one at the front and one at the back. The rocking armchair is refinished.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the five spindles; these tenons are all pinned or nailed through the back. The bows are each tenoned through the top of the turned posts. The seven center spindles of the square back are tenoned up into the top bow, and the flanking spindle is tenoned up into the lower bow. The back of each arm is tenoned and pinned into the post. Each arm is supported on a tenon at the top of the spindles and post; the tenon at the top of the post is also pinned. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The spindle platform is outlined with a narrow groove. The posts and arm supports are tenoned down through the plank seat; a small wedge is inserted through the end of each of these through tenons. The seat is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the four legs. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs; the medial stretcher is tenoned into the side stretchers. The rockers fit into a groove on the underside of each leg; each rocker is inserted into this groove and pinned.
Condition: Two small areas of white paint are adhered to the front of the crest rail. The solid plank seat has split and been repaired with glue and two butterfly dovetails on the underside of the seat, one at the front and one at the back. The rocking armchair is refinished.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the five spindles; these tenons are all pinned or nailed through the back. The bows are each tenoned through the top of the turned posts. The seven center spindles of the square back are tenoned up into the top bow, and the flanking spindle is tenoned up into the lower bow. The back of each arm is tenoned and pinned into the post. Each arm is supported on a tenon at the top of the spindles and post; the tenon at the top of the post is also pinned. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The spindle platform is outlined with a narrow groove. The posts and arm supports are tenoned down through the plank seat; a small wedge is inserted through the end of each of these through tenons. The seat is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the four legs. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs; the medial stretcher is tenoned into the side stretchers. The rockers fit into a groove on the underside of each leg; each rocker is inserted into this groove and pinned.
Status
Not on view
