Old rocking chair

[necn24]

Hi, I would like to know how old this could be if anyone can help. I bought it at goodwill for $10 yesterday and was told that it was in storage for 30 years. It’s very lightweight and I cannot find a makers mark.

 

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[Back-of-the-boat]

I would try and find one of the furniture guys from antiques roadshow to give you an opinion on it, Leigh and Leslie Keno are the two I'm thinking about. Maybe if you find their E-mail you could send them pictures. Don't do anything to it until you find out about it. Doing anything to it could destroy it's value if it is valuable.

 

[necn24]

I’ll look into that thank you

 

[Shunkaha]

I love old rocking chairs. Not sure on the age but the rockers look in very bad shape. Like they sat in water for years. It's a beauty for sure. Wish I could help you on age.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

The fact that it was pegged together and not nailed or screwed together makes me think it is something really worth getting appraised by some experts.

 

[smokeythecat]

Forget Antiques Roadshow. I have all the books and I know how to use them. DO NOT CLEAN IT. You have hit a home run. This is called a slat back, rush seat rocking chair. It would not have a maker's mark on it. The rockers themselves are made of either oak or American Chestnut due to the grain that I can see. Appears to be oak. The "rush" is bull rushes, from a swamp! Yeah, those kind! It is held together by wooden pegs, correct for it's period. It has a utilitarian design. That said, I'd say the chair was made - don't have anything in your mouth or you'll choke - ca 1750 -1800. It could be either a littler earlier or later, but that is the general range. It should be worth hundreds, at least, UNLESS you clean it. If you clean it you will ruin the value. Well done. I have numerous similar types at home. My earliest piece of furniture is an American cherry tilt top Queen Anne candle stand. Top is about 15" in diameter. It came out of Boston. Made ca 1720's.

 

[necn24]

Oh wow thank you!

 

[necn24]

Wow that’s amazing I never would have imagined that it is that old! If it could only talk! I was told it was in storage for 30 years as well. I will not touch this at all! thank you so much

 

[necn24]

Is there something I could do to the bottom of the rockers to stop it from deteriorating even more? Or is it best to just leave it as is?

 

[smokeythecat]

Keep it in a climate controlled place. It probably would not hurt the rockers to lay on a coat of Elmer's glue with water, a 50/50 mix. It will go in the wood and the glue will help keep it from flaking.