Antique Spotlight: Nothing Is More Relaxing Than Sitting In A Rocking Chair! The rocking chair is such a unique piece of furniture; it's soothing to sit in, and a quality rocker tells a story about the time it was crafted and in what high regard the craftsmanship was held during that period. Well-made chairs are a functional piece of art that were made to be displayed prominently and with pride in the home. Nowadays, we're so used to buying functional furniture that's made to blend into the environment and take up less space, so it's nice to look back at furniture that's so special and timeless! Rocking chairs are easily distinguishable as being standard or decorated chairs that are attached in two places to two, curved pieces, thus allowing a shift of body weight to propel whoever is seated back and forth. Benjamin Franklin has been credited for their creation, but there is evidence suggesting their invention at the beginning of the 18th century, when Franklin was a child. In fact, they had already crossed the pond and were found in England by 1725.

As rocking chairs grew more and more popular, they became a way to showcase excellent craftsmanship and creativity, as only very skilled furniture makers were able to create beautiful, long-lasting pieces. Nowadays you can still find some very valuable rocking chairs that have held up extraordinarily well over time, but you’ll have to be willing to search for them and recognize the telltale signs! Michael Thonet Rocking Chairs Thonet was a German-Austrian cabinet maker who acquired a glue factory that allowed him to work with wood differently to create very elaborate chairs. ikea high chair cushion etsyAlong with this new glue formula, he used steam to bend and shape the wood into elegant, durable and incredibly lightweight pieces. bean bag chairs price in indiaHis work was so well known that he presented it to the Viennese Imperial Court.baby high chair canadian tire

Sam Maloof Rocking Chairs Sam Maloof was an American, contemporary woodworker who did most of his work in California, from the mid-20th century to the early 21st. His rocking chairs have more modern shapes and are recognizable by their ski-shaped rockers. Maloof was awarded several prestigious craftsman awards, along with being referred to as one of the most renowned contemporary furniture makers in the United States. John F. Kennedy became very fond of P&P Co. rocking chairs when he was suffering from back pain and prescribed to sit in one in 1955. chair and table rentals queens nyHe ended up taking it with him on Air Force One, buying extra models for Camp David and the White House, and even sent them as gifts to friends, family and heads of state.best buy magnolia chairs When you’re looking to buy a vintage rocker, we’ve got some suggestions on how to best go about your search and how to make sure you’re buying a solid, reliable chair. mesh office chair vs leather

Follow along for our tips and tricks! First and foremost, turn the chair upside down and look for the crafter’s signature/stamp, or any marking that could help determine authenticity. Press down on the arms and seat of the rocking chair, and gently wiggle the chair from side to side to test sturdiness and stability. If there is too much give, or the chair doesn’t seem too strong, leave it and keep looking. Evaluate the wood of the chair and see if it’s all made of the same material. armchair for small spaces ukGood rocking chairs are constructed of maple, cherry, walnut, bird’s eye wood, etc. office chair cushion repairIf you see a chair that’s made up of different woods, or cheaper materials (e.g. pine), know that it’s not a top quality rocker.dining room chair stretch covers

Assess the finish of the wood. If chairs are covered in many layers of paint or stains, they might not be worth the time and effort it would take to refinish them. Look for chairs that are all one finish and not too covered in years’ worth of paint. It’s likely you’ll find a lot of reproductions and have to wade through a bunch of chairs that have a fair amount of wear and tear, but a lot of times people don’t realize what they’re sitting on (pun, intended) in terms of worth. If you keep our suggestions in mind while you search, you just might find a beautiful, timeless rocker that is steeped in history!Rocking chairs are distinctive pieces of furniture, common in homes and often significant to families. They tend to pass to the next generation, becoming an heirloom, carrying a history. There are a number of craftsmen making rocking chairs in small shops and studios.  Being one, I am interested in this field and its clientele.  Jim Fish, able webmaster and associate, and I have compiled this list of rocking chair makers to help bring this field together before its clientele.

Not everyone wants what we make; many will be curious about what is available.  Here listed are links to the makers we have found. (We make every attempt to list only the best and most useful sites featuring rocking chair makers, but we don't know all these makers, their work, or their business practices.  If you would like to suggest the site of a handmade rocking chair maker for inclusion in this directory, please email Jim Fish, and/or read our linking information page.) Rocking Chairs by Gary Weeks and Company The Weeks Rocker® is featured on this site; you are in our rocking chair section. To see more information on the Weeks Rocker, click on the photo, the title in bold, or any topic in the side bar to the left. Please note that the following links will open in a new window: Scott & Stephanie Shangraw Fine custom furniture and handcrafted rocking chairs.  Handmade by Scott and Stephanie Shangraw in the 'Land of Enchantment' New Mexico. Heirloom quality furniture that lasts for generations.

Maxime Poisson's Rocking Chairs Chaises bercantes Maxime Poisson Solid wood handmade rocking chairs made by a craftsman from Canada. Chaises bercantes en bois massif faites à la main par un ébéniste du Canada. Bill Lindau makes exquisite rocking chairs. A wide selection of Windsor Chair designs, including rockers and other 18th. Elegant Free Form Stick & Twig Furnishings handcrafted by artisan Ray Smith. Beautiful home & garden items that are perfect wherever you display these works of art. D. C. Nauman, Chairmaker & Cabinetmaker Fine reproduction chairs, furniture, and woodwork. Abel's Ohio Windsor Chairs Stop in and view Master craftsman Bob Abel's 18th century creations. Custom Made Handcrafted Windsor Rockers, Settee Benches, and many other Windsor furniture styles. Hal Taylor's Rocking Chairs Handmade museum quality rocking chairs individually custom fit. •   Moldovan Studio Furniture •   Owen Rein Chairmaker