Chair, Rocking

Object Name:

Chair, Rocking

Object ID:

1967.032.001

Place of Origin:

Enfield, NH, probably

Date:

1840-1880

Description:

Rocking Chair. Shaker manufacture, slat-back type, with three horizontal slats framed between turned cylindrical stiles with turned finials of stylized form, each encircled by a decorative scribed line at its broadest point. Slats have straight lower edges and arched upper edges beveled on the fronts. Slats are graduated and bow back. Rush seat. All four legs are cylindrical, front ones extending slightly above height of seat rails. All vertical members are encircled at intervals by scribed lines indicating intersection with other chair components. Bottoms of back legs hollowed as though originally intended for ball-and-socket tilting devices. Thong holes plugged. Seven turned stretchers, all plain and cylindrical--two front, two on each side, one at back. Nail near left thong hole implies chair was actually fitted with tilting devices. As there is no wear on bottom of feet however, chair was probably converted to rocking chair while still in shop. Stained red-brown.

Material:

Wood
Grass

Dimensions:

H-41.625 W-19 D-21.875 inches

Provenance:

Given together with Shaker side chair. Card originally accompanying gift is said to have read, "Enfield Shaker Chairs / Rush seats by New. (sic) Eng. Reed Co. / Boston. / Used by me at / 58 Elm St. / Ethel rock Millen," with the following on reverse of card: "Put in storage in 1939." Donor gave at various times a large number of items associated with the Enfield Shakers and apparently used by her family in Lebanon, a town adjacent to Enfield.

Credit Line:

Gift of Ethel Rock Millen

People:

Millen, Ethel Rock (1890-1980)