Need help with a chair I got

by Renee Seeling

Answered

I just bought this really cool folding rocking chair from a shop in town. He said he "thought" it was made by a company called "Seattle" but, I can't find any old furniture makers by that name. He thinks it is from the early 1900's, late 1800's. Any ideas? I plan on replacing the missing seat with an old looking brocade fabric... maybe a floral that looks embroidered.

q need help on a chair i got, painted furniture, repurposing upcycling, reupholster

5 answers

Swan Road Designs on Apr 14, 2015
Seems pretty low to the floor so it could be something known as a nursing rocker or slipper rocker and could date to the late 1800s. A nursing rocker was used for, as you might guess, nursing a baby. A slipper rocker was a chair that ladies would use to slip their shoes on. More appropriate upholstery fabric choice would be a floral tapestry-like fabric. Beautiful chair. Enjoy it.

Helpful Reply
- Renee Seeling on Apr 14, 2015
  @Swan Road Designs That's what I was thinking....a nursing rocker. It is kind of low to the floor although. Need to actually measure it against another chair. I saw it open in the shop, folded it up, took it home and put it in my shop...still folded. lol I really like the idea of a floral tapestry type of fabric...was kind of leaning that way myself. Thanks!
  
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Hope Williams on Apr 15, 2015
I've checked some online antique appraisers. It really does appear to be an sewing/ nursing rocker. One thing I've found when researching a piece, is I can NEVER find the exact piece. Just something similar.

Helpful Reply
- Renee Seeling on Apr 15, 2015
  @Hope Williams Yes...have found the same thing...never the exact piece just one that "looks" like it. I'll take a look at Ruby Lane and see if they show anything similar. I am hoping to figure out who might have made it and when it was made. It has a number "scratched" in to the wood.....1842.....don't think it really means anything since it is not an even lining up of the number, just looks like someone carved them in the inside of the chair. Can't find any kind of maker's mark or stamp. That was probably on the seat which is gone. Love a good "mystery" and this little chair is going to be a doozey!!
  
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Hope Williams on Apr 15, 2015
I forgot to tell you that rubylane.com is my first choice in research.

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Kat on Apr 15, 2015
feel free to add a seat then cushion or cane rope etc post wen u do its so cute!

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- Renee Seeling on Apr 15, 2015
  @Kat Good idea...would be "interesting" trying to sit on it with no seat....lol I am thinking that since I want to keep it as close to original, or what I am guessing what was original, I will make the seat out of fabric...top and bottom with padding in between the layers of fabric. Was really hoping my research would help me figure out who made it but....too many out there "like" it to find out who the maker was. So....it is a really cute, nursing/sewing chair that folds up. Now to go find the perfect fabric. Thanks for the ideas and comments! :)
  
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Katrina Warren on Apr 16, 2015
Looks the same as this one, but it doesn't have much info on it. http://ancientpoint.com/inf/117891-antique_folding_rocker.html

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- See 1 previous
- Renee Seeling on Apr 16, 2015
  @Katrina Warren wow....that is a lot like my chair except mine has more scroll work along the side. Took new pics today.
  
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- Katrina Warren on Apr 16, 2015
  @Renee Seeling It's a really cool chair whoever it was made by! :)
  
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