Large hand carved Rocker

Not a clue, i don't think 19th century though & it does not look hand carved to me.
I hate to keep saying revival because people get upset but........
Wait for Brad & @Ghopper1924

 

The upholstery is not good and is obscuring some important details. From what little I can see, the flying dragon/griffins are reminiscent of Horner or Karpen (or one of their imitators), as is the overall scale of the rocker. In that case it would be 1890-1910 or so, but it's hard to get an accurate read from the photos.

 

Agree with the above. Would think that date range pretty accurate. Appears to be mahogany or stained to mimic mahogany.

 

Thank you for your help.
https://www.antiquers.com/media/albums/green-rocker-1800s.532/

 

You're most welcome, Mike.

 

Upon closer inspection, it is thread. The fabric is imitation meaning it has been reupholstered at one time in the modern past. We acquired the chair in 1985 as a gift. The person's who had it before, said they paid 1000. I don't know how long they had it but they did antique-furniture collecting as a hobby.

 

Yes, it was reupholstered in the modern past as it is covered in imitation vinyl type material. What important details are needed to be seen. Is it something I can get a picture of or is it behind the bottom weaving etc.? Thank you for your input.

 

correct, it had been reupholstered in green vinyl imitation

 

Thanks for information. I believe it is mahogany and not stained.

 

MAny body else have anything to share? It would be appreciated.

 

Hey Mike, this style/era of furniture just isn't in my wheelhouse, Brad & Ghopper handle this furniture quite a bit, ghopper collects it i think so is most likely correct on date.
I did a quick google based on Ghopper post the other day and the only thing that was even close was a "sleepy hollow" chair, Karpen made a line of these chairs in late 19th early 20th century. Not the same form as yours but has carved griffins & leather so perhaps an imitator of Karpen as ghopper suggests.

"an armchair of the mid-19th century, sometimes on rockers, having a single piece forming a high upholstered back and a concave upholstered seat.
ORIGIN OF SLEEPY HOLLOW CHAIR
First recorded in 1835–45; after Sleepy Hollow, New York"

Signed Karpen sleepy hollow chairs at Fontaines


https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7462124_160-pr-karpen-oak-griffin-sleepy-hollow-chairs

What appears to be a later Karpen sleepy hollow chair 1908-1913

http://homestylecustom.blogspot.com/2013/08/antique-sleepy-hollow-chair-recovered.html

 

James is more correct than he knows; Karpen is most specifically the firm I was thinking of. I hate to say it, but the only way to be sure about what elements may be hidden would be to tear off quantities of the upholstery, particularly around the arms. That would tell you more, but also necessitate an upholstery job, and while it needs it I don't want to recommended something to you that will cost you major $.

It's easy to overpay for chairs. I'm afraid that the previous owner may have done just that. However, early Karpen can still bring SOME money if 1890s-style Renaissance Revival floats your boat.

 

Thank you for everybody's input, esp. James and Ghopper.

What would you all think about this "Rocker" being accompanied by an Ottoman?. I use a footstool with it and its quite comfortable.

 

Was it made to go with the chair? Then yes. Is it period? Then yes. Got a photo?

 

No I do not have an ottoman to go with the Rocker. I was just guessing as to whether it May have had one. I still am hoping to find a picture of the Rocker. I think the uniqueness of it being not just a chair but a large rocking chair would make it more scarce therefor more valuable. It may be a Karpen it may be a good copy. It does need reupholstered and one of the arms is broke but that could be repaired while being reupholstered. Thanks again for all of your help.

 

My answer was really based more on personal preference, i.e. if you want an ottoman then you should have one.

From a more academically "correct" standpoint, I rarely see rockers with ottomans, because the motion of the rocker would likely cause the sitter to inadvertently kick the ottoman away over a short period of time, plus the purpose of the rocker is to keep you in motion while the purpose of an ottoman is to rest your feet while you sit. Still, in this case it would be your $ your rules.

I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that we'd love to see the results should you ever go for a restoration on this chair.

 

Well thank you. This chair is more like a Large Lounge Chair and not a Rocker. It so big that your feet do not touch the floor and when you put your feet on a foot stool and lean all the way back, which it naturally wants to do, it feels like you are in a lounge chair. It is is very hard to Rock. Hard to explain. I have fell asleep in this Rocker. Thank you for all of your help. Sorry I have monopolized the conversation.