Help Please ...OLD Rocking Chair

Hi all, my 90year old neighbor gave me this rocker. Any info you could share about it would be grateful. Thanks

 

I am going to guess Nichols & Stone Boston Rocker

 

Just took another look at it to be sure. I have one that seems to be just like it, except mine still has traces of gold ornamentation that was probably stenciled on across the head rest. Think the arms once had it too, all worn away now. I know my parents bought ours in the very early 1950s.

 

BTW, welcome to Antiquers.

 

Bronwen, sort of like this one I saw on Pinterest?


My grandparents had one like that from the late 1950's, too!

 

Exactly like that one, except most of the gold has worn away, even without handling. I'd forgotten how it used to look, but that's it. Repros of an earlier style. What came after American colonial?

Exactly, except looks like the verticals on the back of yours have been given a twisted look? Mine is just plain, but definitely from 51/52. Otherwise, just like it.

 

Any idea when this was manufactured?

 

My idea of when it was manufactured is tied to my knowledge of when people acquired ones like it. Clearly available throughout the 1950s. How to tell if yours is from before or after then...?

 

Based on Machined turnings on spindels and finish, Sheridan Brown A 20th Century Colonial revival rocker or 1890's Still a good rocker.

 

The Federal period, 1790-1830 or so. Hepplewhite & Sheraton were the dominate furniture styles in America, with a dab of Empire for those that could afford it.

 

Again this is an uneducated guess...but I believe this predates the typical 1950's shield design for Nichols and Stone...this stamp has an arts and crafts feel to it (1900-1920) The chair design changed very little so that is all I can go on. The company says it has making chairs since 1857 although the family started making chairs in 1762.

 

Speaking of rocking chairs, i saw this one on twitter or FB recently, someone went to A LOT of trouble to paint this.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

 

WOW!!!! I couldn't do that to an antique, but THAT PAINT JOB IS GORGEOUS!!!!!

 

What a great take on the peacock chair! Love it.

 

Well, thing is, once upon a time paint was a very BIG DEAL in american furniture. Pilgrim style furniture built by joiners out of riven oak tends to be rather chunky & boxy in appearance. So when paint came along around 1690-1700 in american furniture, it was a SMASH HIT!
I can understand why, people were sick to death after centuries of the same old thing plus they lived in the dark, loud paint decoration was just what they were looking for and, they could see it in the dark!
1690-1700 american chest of drawers, riven oak and pine

 

Love the chest, I could definitely live with that.

Wonder whether the new colorful style reduced the rate of smashed toes?!

 

I am betting it did!