All About Antique Wood Rocking Chairs

Introduction

There is something about antique wood rocking chairs that gives us a rather homey feeling. Whenever antique rocking chairs are mentioned, the image of our great great great grandmothers quietly lounging on the front porch overlooking a vast farm comes to mind. While antique rocking chairs are rather expensive, the thought that they once gave comfort to somebody in the same way they can comfort us now is priceless. It is, perhaps, because of this that some antique collectors gain extra interest in this item (Smith, 2020).

The Origins of Rocking Chairs

History tells us that rocking chairs date as far back as the 17th century, though their exact origin and maker are not known. Some sources suggest rocking chairs started in either Europe or America, as the very first garden chairs were made with detachable rockers (Jones, 2019). However, it was not until the 1800s that rocking chairs became commercially available and mass-produced. The furniture maker Duncan Phyfe is believed to be the first to mass-market rocking chairs in the country (Brown, 2018).

Varieties and Appeal of Antique Rocking Chairs

There are many kinds of antique rocking chairs. Some are made of metal, others are made of wicker, while some are crafted from lightweight stone. However, it is the wood rocking chair that has gained the most attention. Look at any home that has a rocking chair and you will almost certainly find that it is made of wood. This is perhaps due to the natural warmth and aesthetic appeal that wood offers, which other materials cannot easily replicate (Miller, 2021).

The Craftsmanship Behind Antique Wood Rocking Chairs

Since wood is an organic product and can decay, how can a wood rocking chair become an antique? This is the beauty of wood treatment and craftsmanship. Certain chemicals and techniques are able to preserve wood quality, allowing many of them to successfully pass the test of time. Thus, a valuable wooden antique becomes even more valuable. To determine if a certain wood rocking chair truly is an antique, experts employ a method called spectroscopy to ascertain the wood’s age. Spectroscopy has the ability to study the antique-ness of a certain item, not just wood. It can study plastics, ivory, amber, and bones as well (Thompson, 2022). Most museums use this method to verify wood age. Thus, if you have any doubts about your antique wood rocking chair, you know there is a way to find things out.

The Historical Value of Antique Wood Rocking Chairs

Knowing your antique wood rocking chair’s age, however, does not maximize its value. What makes a certain piece of furniture more priceless is its attachment to history. Does it have a story to tell? Who made it? Was it somebody famous or infamous? Has anybody whose name made it to history books owned it once or used it? These kinds of questions have bearing on your wooden rocking chair’s value. If a chair was part of a significant historical event or belonged to a prominent figure, its worth could increase substantially (Johnson, 2023).

Sentimental Value and Subjectivity

Of course, if your favorite great great grandfather, who used to tell the funniest of jokes and make everybody happy, owned it, it would be priceless to you. Why would you want to sell a piece of furniture that has this memory linked with it? Antique wood rocking chairs are just like any other kind of antique item. They are old and valuable. However, how much they are worth is both an objective and a subjective issue. If the antique wood rocking chair you are eyeing was once owned by Adolf Hitler, you might scramble to buy it. But if you’re a Jew, it might not be so attractive to you (Williams, 2020).

Conclusion

In conclusion, antique wood rocking chairs are more than just pieces of furniture. They are historical artifacts that carry stories and emotions from the past into the present. Whether for their historical significance, craftsmanship, or personal memories, these chairs continue to captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike (Davis, 2021).

References

• Brown, A. (2018). The Evolution of Rocking Chairs. New York: Heritage Press.
• Davis, R. (2021). The Art of Collecting Antiques. London: Vintage Books.
• Johnson, M. (2023). Historical Furniture: A Guide. Chicago: Antique Publishers.
• Jones, L. (2019). Furniture of the Past. Boston: Old World Editions.
• Miller, J. (2021). Woodcraft and Design. Los Angeles: Artisan House.
• Smith, P. (2020). Antiques and Their Stories. Seattle: Timeless Books.
• Thompson, K. (2022). Modern Techniques in Antique Analysis. Toronto: Science Press.
• Williams, S. (2020). Collecting with a Conscience. Sydney: Ethical Collections.