Child’s plank-seat rocking chair

1830-1860

Measurements

20-1/2 x 13-7/8 x 18-1/2

Materials

Tulip poplar (seat and rockers), ash (rear stretcher), maple (crest, slat, rear posts, arms and arm support, legs, and front stretcher)

Credit Line

On loan to the Historic Odessa Foundation

Accession Number

2021.14

Condition Notes

The crest has been reattached several times.  The lower edge on the right side of the crest has split off and been reattached. Reinforcing screws have been added to the underside of the right arm support and right rear leg.  The paint, top surface of the seat, and outer sides of the rockers are worn from use.

Provenance

The rocker descended through the lender’s family for generations.  The family lived primarily in Philadelphia, southeastern Pennsylvania, and northern Delaware.

Comments

The child’s rocking chair has a shield-shaped seat, slightly dished in the center and with a curved edge in front.  Maple turned legs socket into the seat and into tulip poplar rockers.  Front and rear turned stretchers join the legs. The maple rear posts have a single rectangular slat below a shaped maple crest rail that is attached to the front of the posts.  Turned maple arms have turned ash supports in front.  The highly ornamental “fancy chair” is painted olive green with yellow striping.  Stenciled panels with flanking yellow leaves decorate the center of the crest, slat, and front edge of the seat.  the rear posts have three yellow stacked rings turned below the slat.  The front legs and stretcher have scored rings.